"No! I was only once engaged before!"
"Twice."
"Oh, you are thinking of Ralph Dashwood! That was never announced, and can't signify. I am serious now."
He gave a hoot of laughter. "Until the next man drifts by! Has he any money?"
"I suppose him to have a younger son's portion. He is not rich."
"Well, what the devil made you choose him?" demanded George. "I see no sense in it!"
"I don't care for money," she replied pettishly.
"More fool you, then. I never knew you when you weren't dipped. Besides, this fellow Audley: I like him, he's a good man - but he ain't your sort, Bab."
"True, but I loved him from the first. I don't know how it came about. Isn't it odd that one should keep one's heart intact so many years, only to have it crack for a man no more handsome or wealthy than a hundred others? I can find no reason for it, unless it be the trick his eyes have of smiling while his mouth is grave - and that's nonsensical."
He said rather gloomily: "I know what you mean. Take it from me, it's the devil."