“Yes,” he replied curtly.
“I hope you pay her handsomely,” she said.
“Judith, you hate me for this, but you have nothing to fear from me, I promise you!”
“You are mistaken; I do not fear you.”
“You have no need. I want you to be my wife—”
“Would you want me to be your wife if I were not possessed of a fortune?” she said scathingly.
“Yes! Oh, I shan’t deny I need your fortune, but my love for you is real! Too real to allow of my doing anything now that could set you more against me! I am aware how much I have injured my own cause by this step I have taken. It is for me to show you in what respect I hold you. I shall not presume even to touch you without your leave, even though I must keep you here until I have your promise to marry me!”
“You will not get it, I assure you.”
“Ah, you do not understand. You have not considered! That I should be obliged to point out to you—But it must be done! Judith, do you know that a fortnight—a week—spent in my company, hidden away from your friends, must make it impossible for you to refuse? Your reputation would be so damaged that even Worth himself must counsel you to marry me! In plain words, cousin—”
A voice from the other end of the room interposed coolly: “You need not speak any more plain words, Mr. Taverner. You have said quite enough to compromise yourself.”