"Oh no! His, too!"
"It will be a risk, certainly," says Colonel Neilson. "I thought—I imagined—I had heard that Rylton was engaged to his cousin, Mrs. Bethune—a very beautiful woman."
"How can you think so!" says Margaret. "Well, yes, no doubt she is beautiful, but I should not like Maurice to marry her."
"You would prefer his marrying the 'charming child'?"
"I don't know what I prefer," says Miss Knollys. She casts a reproachful glance at him that certainly is not deserved. Has he not served her late and early for the past six years? "I thought you would help me!"
"You know I shall do that, however things may turn."
"Well, help me here. What ought Maurice to do? I am so dreadfully unhappy about this projected marriage of his."
"It seems to me you are unhappy about all things except those that concern yourself. Your own future seems a blank to you; is it not so?"
Miss Knollys makes a little movement.
"Why should it be always a blank?" says he. "Margaret," in a low tone, "let me fill it!"