"They have decreed that I shall fall in love with you, and you with me, at first sight."
Clara stared at him a moment, with her widening blue eyes, and then broke into a laugh that set all the birds about her to singing in a joyous chorus.
"Exactly."
"But you have more sense. You could not be induced to oblige them. I feel quite sure."
"But why, pray? Am I so very stupid?"
"No; but you are so very kind, and would not do anything so cruel."
Lord Hilton laughed; he could not help it.
"But why would it be cruel?"
"Because—because it would get me into trouble. Grandmamma is a lovely old angel, and to oblige her I would fall in love with fifty men if it were possible, especially after what she has done to-day: but it is not possible."