"She's poor?"
"Yes."
"And she depends upon you."
"Of course she counts on me. I always expected to keep my word."
"And now you'd break it—for me! Oh, no, I couldn't let you do it. Were you—does she expect to be married soon?"
Stephen's face grew red, as if it had been struck. "Yes," he answered, in a low voice.
"Would you mind—telling me how soon?"
"As soon as she gets back from Canada."
Victoria's bosom rose and fell quickly.
"Oh!—and when——"