Look at it in its true light, Stella.

I cannot believe you are deceiving me: you must be leading Mr.Arnault to entertain a false hope." "Graydon, I have refused Mr.Arnault, and he will take no refusal." "You can refuse him in such a way that he must take it at once and forever." "You don't know--" she began, tears coming into her eyes.
"No; you have only led me to surmise a great deal by implication." "What would become of mamma and my little sister if papa should fail utterly ?" and tears came faster.

No one could be more pathetic than Miss Wildmere when she chose.
"Can you not trust me for them as well as for yourself ?" "Oh, Mr.Muir, I know you mean most generously and kindly, but papa is so anxious and fearful! He tries to keep up before others, but I know how he feels, and it's terrible.

He is past middle age, and business success means very much to him.

How can I do anything to harm him?
I know so little about business and its perils, while papa thinks there may be terrible dangers ahead for every one.