"There's another woman," said Sidcup, drawing a long breath.
Derrick's pale face flushed. "There are reasons why I can't marry any woman, Sidcup," he said. "No, I can't tell you them, but you can take it from me that they exist. No, I'm not married already," he added, with a grim smile, as he saw the question in Sidcup's eyes. "The fact is, I'm an outcast and a pariah. Sounds melodramatic, doesn't it? But it's the truth. And you can tell Isabel so, if you like."
Sidcup laughed bitterly.
"Do you think that would make any difference to her?" he retorted. "You don't know much about women——"
"I don't!" interjected Derrick.
"——If you think that would put her off. It would make her more gone on you than ever. She's that sort. And if you don't, or can't, marry her, what are you going to do?"
"The Lord knows," groaned Derrick, desperately.
"Look here, Green, you're a gentleman," said Sidcup.
"Am I? Thank you. But I'm not so sure. I don't know that I've any claim to the title."
"You're a gentleman, right enough; we all know that," said Sidcup. "But you haven't traded on it, I'll say that for you. And there's only one thing for a man to do who is a gentleman——"