"Then you are even duller than usual, and, as I may no more speak in parables, I will expound myself clearly. I deliberately endeavored to entrap and entangle Earle Moray into loving me, for my summer pastime. I did not duly consider that I might fall in love with him myself."
"Why not, if you desired him to love you?"
"That was merely part of beauty's dues, child. Why not? He is not rich enough, or great enough; he cannot take me to London, and make me a society queen."
"Certainly not. You did not expect that."
"True. And I did not expect to fall in love with him."
"But you have? Surely you have, he loves you so much."
"Eh? Do you want me to love him? I thought you wanted him."
"I only want him to be happy," said Mattie, turning away, with a blush.
"Perhaps I love him a little. I am not capable of loving much," said Doris, with exceeding frankness. "My chief affections are set upon the pomps and vanities of this life, which I presume were renounced for me in my baptism."
"Don't be so wicked," cried the scandalized Mattie.