“You may join with us in effecting that marriage, or you may not, as you please. But what you must do is to convince Gatrina beyond question that your coming here has no connection whatever with what passed at the time you rescued her. I have prepared the way for that.”
“You are very thoughtful, no doubt, but I don’t understand you.”
“I have told her that once we were betrothed and that you have come here in search of me. You can confirm that.”
“What do you mean?”
“By renewing the old relations—for the time—and making the matter public.”
“You want me to act that lie in order to deceive her?”
“To convince her of the necessity of marrying the Duke Barinski.”
I had to clench my teeth to keep my indignation under.
“I will not do it,” I said, clipping the words short.
“Then we are to fight, Mr. Bergwyn,” she said, as she rose. “I shall find other means and take further steps. I shall poison her against you, if I have to shew her your letters in proof of what I told her. Will you give me your arm? I am sorry you make me your enemy and hers—it may mean danger for her.”