She made a gesture as though she were not to be beguiled by soft words.
"As for the money, it matters little. Thank God, I have my profession."
"At which you will starve."
"By which I shall earn my bread as my father did. Besides, I can fall back upon the reputation of the Family Pills."
"I see you wish to goad me beyond endurance, Harold. Go!"
"For good and all?"
"Yes; except on the one alternative. Will you give up this idiotic passion? You refuse. It is on your own head, then. Go—go till I send for you, which will be never!"
Harold went without another word—to Harbridge, overcame Dolly's scruples, secured the practice, and within a month was married and settled.
Mrs. Purling, in Phillipa's presence, made a great parade of burning her will.
"He has brought it all on himself, unnatural boy! But you, darling Phillipa, will never treat me thus. Noblesse oblige. The bright blue blood that fills your veins would curdle at a mésalliance, I know."