“You needn't be,” said Frederic hotly. “She understands everything.”
“You were born to be dishonest in love.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It is my purpose to tell you precisely what I mean. Lydia understands far more than you think. If she marries you it will be with her eyes open; she will have no one to blame but herself for the mistake.”
“Oh, I haven't tried to deceive her as to my prospects. She knows how poor we will be at the———”
“Does she know that this love you profess for her is at the very outset disloyal?”
Frederic was silent for a moment. A twinge shot through his heart.
“She understands everything,” he repeated stubbornly.
“Have you lied to her?”
“Lied? You'd better be careful how you———”