"Your life will be ruined, as mine has been," he said.
Dora walked towards the window with a weary sigh.
"It is ruined already; I do not see how it can be much worse. I have lost you; I have been deceived as regards my pecuniary position; I am threatened with the attentions of that odious creature. It is all very terrible."
Allen groaned.
"I wish I could give you hope, Dora, but I cannot. I see nothing in the future but pain, and separation, and misery."
"Oh, I don't know," replied Dora with a hard laugh. "Since you can give me up so easily, I have no doubt that you will speedily console yourself for my loss. You will be married in a few years."
"Never! If I do not marry you--and that is impossible--I shall marry no other woman."
"So you say; but I know what men are."
"Not from experience."
"I don't think a woman needs experience to divine the nature of the other sex," said Dora loftily, with all the brave self-confidence of youth; "our instinct teaches us what you are and how you will act. I can't expect you to be true to a phantom all your life."