But what was there to think about?
Nothing that she had said altered in the least his idea about the man.

He was as convinced as ever that unless there was much to conceal there would not be so much concealment.

But a feeling began to grow upon him already that his daughter had a mode of pleading with him which he would not ultimately be able to resist.

He had the power, he knew, of putting an end to the thing altogether.

He had only to say resolutely and unchangeably that the thing shouldn't be, and it wouldn't be.