"You are talking in riddles," he answered sharply. "I want you to tell me the truth—face to face. Why do you wish to break off our engagement? Why does my return make anything worse?"
"Because—seeing you brings everything back—and I am going to marry Mr. Waldershare."
She turned away and averted her face to hide her emotion.
A long silence followed this announcement, and at last Philip said:
"Well, I don't suppose anything could be worse than that!"
As he spoke, Lola sank back on the sofa, and stealthily displaced some of the jewel-cases under the big brocade cushions.
"Will you listen to me?" she said piteously.
"Oh, yes, I am here to listen. I have come a thousand miles since Monday to listen—and to speak."
"Phil, when you hear all you will be twice as sorry for me as you are for yourself. Do you know that we are ruined?"
"I gathered as much," he replied gravely.