Juliet's cool, indifferent air was well sustained, but it failed of its effect.
"Have you nothing to tell me, Juliet?" her mother asked.
"What do you expect me to tell you, mother? If Mr. Mainprice confided his intention to you, you know all there is to tell; for, of course, you could have no doubt as to my reply."
"Oh, my dear, I had hoped—"
"What did you hope, you foolish little mother?" Juliet asked, vainly striving to steady her voice. "It was noble—it was generous of him; but how can my life ever be what it might have been if—" She paused, conscious of a choking sensation in her throat.
"My dear, you are too hard upon yourself."
"I am not at all too hard. Think what Salome would say if she heard that I was going to marry a clergyman!"
"Your sister would be glad, Juliet."
Juliet shook her head.
"No, she would be shocked. She would say she was sorry for Arthur Mainprice. And so she might be. But I will not spoil his life."