As soon as she entered—
"Come, now, what's it all about?" he said.
Mary began at once to tell him, as directly as she could, that she was under obligation to Mr. Wardour of Thornwick, and that she had reason to fear Miss Yolland was trying to get a hold of him—"And you know what that would be for any man!" she said.
"No, by Jove! I don't," he answered. "What would it be?"
"Utter ruin," replied Mary. "Then go and tell him so, if you want to save him."
"I have told him. But he does not like me, and won't believe me."
"Then let him take his own course, and be ruined."
"But I have just told you, sir, I am under obligation to him—great obligation!"
"Oh! I see! you want him yourself!—Well, as you wish it, I would rather you should have him than that she-devil. But come, now, you must be open with me."
"I am. I will be."