"That is untrue," contradicted Vernon nettled; "The lady loves me."
"It is questionable--questionable," muttered the woman hastily. "Your rival is a formidable one and not easily turned from his purpose. Look at the break in the line yourself." She handed him a magnifying glass. "That means trouble before you achieve your heart's desire."
"Can you tell me what my heart's desire is?" asked Vernon after a glance through the glass.
"A lovely, wealthy wife and a happy home."
"Quite so; but I have a stronger desire."
"To do what?"
"Ah!" said Vernon sarcastically, "that is for you to say. But my second desire, which is marriage, is contingent on my first being realised."
"I see, I see," said Diabella raising her voice, which whistled shrilly like the wind through a crack. "You have to save someone from disgrace before you can marry the girl you love?"
"Is the someone a woman or a man?"
"A woman, and closely connected with the girl you wish to marry."