Dr. Merville returned to his study shaking his head. He couldn't understand Beryl.
So Ronnie approved! She sat, cheek in hand, elbow on knee, looking at the fire. Steppe did not seem so impossible after that. Ronnie! He would approve, of course. What terrors he must have endured when he discovered that Steppe was his rival! What mental agonies! An idea came to her.
She went down to the hall where the telephone was and gave his number.
"Hello—yes."
"Is that you, Ronnie?"
"Yes—is that you, Beryl?" his voice changed. She detected an anxious note. "How are you—I meant to come round yesterday. I haven't seen you for an age."
"Father says that you think I ought to marry Steppe."
There was an interval. "Did you hear what I said?" she asked.
"Yes—of course it is heartbreaking for me—I feel terrible about it all—but it is a good match, Beryl. He is one of the richest men in town—it is for your good, dear."
She nodded to the transmitter and her lips twitched. "I can't marry him without telling him, can I, Ronnie?" She heard his gasp.