"I admit it, now that you are engaged to Mona. But I say, Dorry—yes, I'll call you Dorry now—I say, isn't it rather sudden? You have only known her a week or two."
"It was a case of love at first sight," said the young man very earnestly.
"Pooh! pooh! I don't believe in such a thing."
"I didn't either until I experienced the sensation; but I really did love Mona from the moment I saw her in the dock, and it was only honour which held me back from speaking even earlier."
"Honour! What honour?" asked Mrs. Rover contemptuously.
"She was supposed to be engaged to Ned, you know. Only when I learned that the engagement meant nothing was I able to speak out."
"You have very many scruples," said Mrs. Rover, with a shrug, "and evidently forget that all is fair in love and war."
"That's a purely feminine view, Constance. Had Ned really been in love with Mona, and really engaged to her, I should have left England without saying a word."
"So like a man," retorted Constance scornfully. "Why, if a dozen women loved Ned, I shouldn't give him up."
"Constance, you forget that you are married."