"Then what do you mean by saying----"
"We had better have a chat," said Bawdsey, and sat down. "But I wish to know where I stand. Lola loves you. Do you love her?"
"No," said Brendon, seeing that he would have to humor the man. "I am engaged to marry Miss Ward."
"Will you help me to marry Lola?"
"Willingly--though, to tell you the truth, I know very little about you, and to make that girl marry you----"
"Oh, Lola can look after herself, Mr. Brendon. If she becomes my wife she will have the upper hand. But I am so deeply in love with her that I am willing to play second fiddle. Can't you dispossess her of this infatuation for you?"
George shook his head and groaned. "No. She won't listen to reason."
"Well," drawled Bawdsey, recurring to his American accent, "I don't blame her for that. She is in love, and love listens to no one and nothing. I wouldn't listen to reason, either, if it entailed giving up Lola."
"See here, Bawdsey, if you can persuade this woman to get over her liking for me, and to marry you, I shall be delighted. I do not know where she is just now, but it is my impression that she has gone away because she is afraid of me."
"Afraid of you? Oh, that's absurd!"