"You have always been very good to me," said Isabel.
"Tell me—I cannot bear the suspense any longer—is there any chance for me?"
Isabel looked Paul full in the face. "I will tell you the truth," she said, "I owe you that, at any rate. The best side of me does love you, and wants always to be with you, and knows that I can never be a really good woman apart from you. But there is another side of me which cares for rank and wealth and power, and fights against your influence all the time."
Paul's eyes were very pitiful. "I understand," he said.
"The question is," continued Isabel, "which of my two selves is the stronger—the one that loves you or the one that doesn't. And you must leave me to fight it out by myself."
"Yes," answered Paul, "that is but fair and just. I will wait another week patiently; but after that I must know my fate once and for all."
"And you must always remember," added Isabel, "that the self that is on your side is my best self; and that if I decide against you, I shall be choosing evil rather than good."
"Aunt Caroline," said Isabel to Lady Farley the next day, "Paul Seaton has asked me to be his wife."
"I knew he would," replied her aunt, "men with chins like his never make love without meaning it."
"I am to give him his answer in a week; and I want you to advise me."