"But this is madness, doctor—madness, I tell you. No, I won't raise my voice! I forgot myself! But realise it, man! I am to be married on Tuesday—this coming Tuesday, you know. And all the world knows it. How can I put such a public affront upon her? It would be monstrous."
"None the less it must be done. My dear sir, there is no way out of it."
"You would have me simply write brutally and break the engagement at this last moment without a reason? I tell you I couldn't do it."
"I had a patient once who found himself in a somewhat similar situation some years ago," said the doctor thoughtfully. "His device was a singular one. He deliberately committed a penal offence and so compelled the young lady's people to withdraw their consent to the marriage."
The young baronet shook his head.
"My personal honour is as yet unstained," said he. "I have little else left, but that at least I will preserve."
"Well, well, it's a nice dilemma and the choice lies with you."
"Have you no other suggestion?"
"You don't happen to have property in Australia?"
"None."