"I will marry you," said Carson, frowning, "if only to humble you."
Olive turned on him. "You--you humble me? You, a foolish weak----Go away, Angus, or I may say much we may both regret."
"I will not go away," he said, the latent obstinacy of his nature asserting itself. "Let us make our bargain once and for all. I will marry you----"
"And be my husband in name only?"
"Yes," he whispered, with so strange a glance that she started back, "in name only. I agree to your terms--for my own private reasons. But, should this Mallow return----"
"Leave Mr. Mallow's name out of our conversation," interrupted Olive imperiously; "there is nothing between us that you need trouble about. I do not conceal things."
"Do I?" asked Carson, with bland inquiry.
"Ask yourself, Angus." She looked at him hard. "What do you know about Athelstane Place?"