‘But I assure you that if my plan fails no harm can possibly be caused or suspected. And if it succeeds then the thing is done: either Mr. Warren is reconciled to the marriage, or—the marriage is broken off, as he desires.’
‘By whom?’
‘By the Conscientious Objectrix, if that is the feminine of Objector—by Miss Jane Truman.’
‘Why should Jane break it off if the old gentleman agrees?’
‘Because Jane would be a silly girl. Mr. Merton, I will promise you one thing. The plan shall not be
tried without the approval of the lover himself. None but he shall be concerned in the affair.’
‘You won’t hypnotise the girl and let him vaccinate her when she is in the hypnotic sleep?’
‘No, nor even will I give her a post-hypnotic suggestion to vaccinate herself, or go to the doctor’s and have it done when she is awake; though,’ said Miss Martin, ‘that is not bad business either. I must make a note of that. But I can’t hypnotise anybody. I tried lots of girls when I was at St. Ursula’s and nothing ever came of it. Thank you for the idea all the same. By the way, I first must sterilise the pontifical—’ She paused.
‘The what?’
‘That is my secret! Don’t you see how safe it is? None but the lover shall have his and her fate in his hands. C’est à prendre ou à laisser.’