“So it’s a mere marriage of convenience you are after?” the girl asked. “That’s all very well for you, no doubt; but how about the woman who marries you? I don’t think it’s a very nice lookout for her, do you? That’s just the way with you men always! You never think about the woman’s feelings!”
“I’ll do my duty to her,” he answered.
“Your duty!” sniffed the girl, indignantly.
“I’ll be so attentive to her that she will never guess my heart is given to another,” he went on.
“Don’t be too sure of that,” she returned. “Women have very sharp eyes—sharper than you men think—especially about a thing like that!”
“I am not going to borrow trouble,” the Doctor declared, suavely. “I shall always be as nice to her as I can, and if it is in my power to make her happy, then she will be happy. But we needn’t anticipate. What I want you to do now is to help me to find the right woman. It will be my business to take care of her afterward.”
“Oh, very well,” said the girl, rather sharply. “Have you anybody in particular in view?”
“I haven’t really fixed on anybody yet,” he explained. “I wanted your advice first, for I’m going to rely on that. I feel sure you won’t let me make a mistake about a matter so important to me.”
“Then don’t let’s waste any time!” she cried, peremptorily.
“Really,” he declared, “it’s astonishing how a little bit of a thing like you can be so bossy.” She looked at him fiercely, so he made haste to add, “But I like it—I like it!”