“Oh—what?” He was like a diver coming up out of deep water. “What did you say?” He laughed apologetically. “Wasn’t I listening? I beg your pardon. What is it, Laura?”
“Why do you let Mr. Corliss take Cora away from you like that?” she asked gravely.
“He doesn’t,” the young man returned with a rueful shake of the head. “Don’t you see? It’s Cora that goes.”
“Why do you let her, then?”
He sighed. “I don’t seem to be able to keep up with Cora, especially when she’s punishing me. I couldn’t do something she asked me to, last night——”
“Invest with Mr. Corliss?” asked Laura quickly.
“Yes. It seemed to trouble her that I couldn’t. She’s convinced it’s a good thing: she thinks it would make a great fortune for us——”
“`Us’?” repeated Laura gently. “You mean for you and her? When you’re——”
“When we’re married. Yes,” he said thoughtfully, “that’s the way she stated it. She wanted me to put in all I have——”
“Don’t do it!” said Laura decidedly.