"Because I choose, and because I like following your good advice."
"My advice?" she echoed; "my advice? That is too much." Then recognising the fact that no good would follow on direct opposition, she tacked skilfully. "If you choose, I suppose you will do it, though I cannot for the life of me see why you should put yourself to needless pain, for it must be pain, since you were certainly in love with her at Gleneira----"
"I believe I was," he interrupted, "but I'll risk the pain."
"No doubt," she answered bitterly; "self-inflicted pain is always bearable. But for the girl--why not consider her comfort? It is always a disagreeable thing to refuse, and a man who forces a girl into that position without due cause is----"
"Is what?"
"A presumptuous cad, my dear Paul."
"Thank you! You are clever, Violet, and your conclusions are generally right; but in this case you argue without knowledge of the premises."
"I know that Paul Macleod never did and never will come under that category," she replied readily, "and that is enough for me."
"If it were true, but it is not." He had not meant to tell her the truth, but a certain contrariety led him on. "I used not to be one, perhaps; but I was one to her. That last night, after I was engaged to Alice, I told her that I loved her."
A little fine smile showed on Mrs. Vane's face. "Well, it was not fair on Alice, but it was very like Paul. Only why repeat the mistake?"