Carson looked scared. "I understood we were to be married in a fortnight," he said under his breath.
"So we are! I marry you not because I love you, but because I respect the wish of my father. I can be a wife to you in name only."
"Olive, what do you mean?"
"What I say. Cannot you comprehend plain English? When we are married, you and I can be no more to one another than we are at this moment."
"And if I refuse?" he said, with a faint show of anger.
"Then I cannot marry you," answered Olive quietly. "My desire is to carry out to the letter the will of my father; and, by becoming your wife, give you the control of this fifty thousand pounds. More than this I cannot do. I pay you this money for my freedom. You are free to accept it or refuse it as you will."
Angus looked mortified and indignant. A flush was across his weak but handsome face. "Do you then hate me?" he demanded angrily.
"I am indifferent to you. I do not love you; for that reason I make my bargain."
"I understand. You love that insolent Mallow?"
"I should advise you to make no assertions and to mention no names," replied Olive, keeping her temper. "What I say I intend to do. You marry me on these terms or not at all."