'I've been all this time trying to persuade her to something—against her judgement. I've been trying to persuade her to marry.'
'To marry me?'
'No. To marry me. And I've succeeded.'
'I congratulate you,' said Cecil, in a cold, hard voice.
'You're angry, my boy. It's very natural; but let me explain to you how it happened.'
He paused, and then went on: 'Of course, for years I've wished for the right woman here. But I never saw her. I thought I never should. That day she came here—the musical party—the moment I looked at her, I saw that she was meant for me, not for you.'
'I call it a beastly shame,' said Cecil.
'It isn't. It's absolutely right. You know perfectly well she never would have cared for you in the way you wished.'
Cecil could not deny that, but he said sarcastically—
'So you fell in love with her at first sight?'