“Don’t agitate yourself, mother.”
“He’ll cut you off if you do it. I shouldn’t be surprised if he should turn against you as soon as he hears you have thought of such a thing.”
Beatrice listened calmly. “That remains to be seen,” said she.
“I think you’ve lost your mind, Beatrice,” cried her mother, between railing and wailing.
“I think so, too,” replied Beatrice, dreamy-eyed. “Yes, I’m sure I have.”
“This isn’t a bit like you.”
“No, not a bit. I thought I was hard as—as you’ve brought me up to be. I thought I cared only for the material things.”
“What is the matter with you?”
“I want him,” said the girl, lips compressing resolutely. Presently she added, “And I’m going to get him—at any cost.”
“Trapped by an adventurer! You!”