"Perhaps not," he admitted. "Facts are facts, though."
"There are ways—ways of preventing that," Southend interposed, murmuring vaguely.
"I don't know how you'll feel about it, but we all think you ought to consider other things besides your personal preferences. Might I tell Mr Disney—no, one moment, please! Our idea, I mean, was that there might be a family arrangement. A moment, please, Mr Tristram! I don't mean, by which she would lose what she has——"
"But that I should get it?"
"Well, yes. Oh, I know your feelings. But they would cease to exist if you came to her on an equality, with what is really and truly your proper position recognized and—and——"
"Regularized," Southend supplied with a sharp glance at Harry.
"I don't understand," Harry declared. "You must tell me what you mean. Is it something that concerns Cecily as well as me?"
"Oh, about that we haven't the right even to ask your feelings. That would be simply for you to consider. But if anything were to happen——"
"Nothing could." Harry restrained himself no longer. "There can be no question of it."