But he was a hard man, and stubborn. Throughout his long
life he had not been of yielding habit, and his heart was set on Iris.
"You are mighty sure that she is wrapped up in this young spark," he
growled.
"Were I not, I would not have interfered. Take my advice. First, ask
yourself an honest question. Then ask the girl. She will answer. I
promise you that."
"I'm a rich man," persisted Dickey.
"Yes."
"Nobody forced 'er, one way or the other."
"Possibly. One wonders, though, why she hid herself on the
_Andromeda_."
"It's true, I tell you. David said----"
"Who is David?"
"Her uncle."
"In England, I take it, if a man wishes to marry a girl he does not woo
her uncle. Of course, these customs vary. Here, in Brazil----"
Then Bulmer said something about Brazil that was not to be expected
from one of his staid demeanor. In fact, he regarded Brazil as the
cause of the whole trouble, and his opinion concerning that marvelous
land coincided with Hozier's. He turned and walked away, looking a
trifle older, a trifle more bent, perhaps, than when he came out of the
house.
An hour later, Dom Corria and Carmela met in a corridor. They were
discussing arrangements for a speedy move to the capital when Iris ran
into them. Her face was flushed, and she had been crying.
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