“Miss Taverner, I appeal to your sense of what is fair! Is this kind? Is this right?”
“It was irresistible,” she replied mischievously.
“What is to be done? How shall I convince you?”
“You cannot; you are completely exposed.”
“I shall come about again, I warn you. My dependence is all on my brother. If he has the slightest regard for me he must assist me to convince you of my disinterestedness.”
“Dear me, how is he to do that, I wonder?”
“Why, very simply! He has only to sell you out of the three-per-cents and gamble away your whole fortune on ‘Change. I may then offer you my hand and heart with a clear conscience.”
“It sounds very disagreeable. I had rather keep my fortune, I thank you.”
“Miss Taverner, you are guilty of the most shocking cruelty to one wounded in the service of his country!”
“That is very bad, certainly. What shall I do to atone?”