“I can’t help it!” was the answer.
“But why not? I’m sure you had admiration enough to turn any girl’s head.”
No answer.
Lady Tyrrell renewed her address still more tenderly—“Lenore, darling, it is quite needful that you should understand your position.”
“I am afraid I understand it only too well,” came in a smothered voice.
“It may be very painful, but it ought to be made clear before you how you stand. You know that my father was ruined—there’s no word for it but ruined.”
“Yes.”
“He had to give up the property to the creditors, and live on an allowance.”
“I know that.”
“And, of course, I can’t bear speaking of it; but the house is really let to me. I have taken it as I might any other house to let.”