"I am glad I have told you," said Mary, curbing herself, "for deceit and hypocrisy are detestable."
"It was a misunderstanding, not deceit," said Beatrice.
"Well, now we understand each other; now you know that I have a heart within me, which like those of some others has not always been under my own control. Lady Arabella believes that I am intriguing to be the mistress of Greshamsbury. You, at any rate, will not think that of me. If it could be discovered to-morrow that Frank were not the heir, I might have some chance of happiness."
"But, Mary—"
"Well?"
"You say you love him."
"Yes; I do say so."
"But if he does not love you, will you cease to do so?"
"If I have a fever, I will get rid of it if I can; in such case I must do so, or die."
"I fear," continued Beatrice, "you hardly know, perhaps do not think, what is Frank's real character. He is not made to settle down early in life; even now, I believe he is attached to some lady in London, whom, of course, he cannot marry."