He laid a hand over her clutching fingers.
"My dear, do you want a scandal?"
"No, oh no! But I must persuade James!"
"And do you want to marry this Brenderby?"
"I—am going to marry him."
"Cleone, answer me! Do you want to marry him?"
"I don't want to marry anyone! I wish I were dead!"
"Well, child, you are not dead. I refuse to see you fall into Brenderby's clutches, and I refuse to countenance the scandal that would arise if you rejected him. I am too old to serve you, but I know of one who is not."
"Sir Maurice, I implore you, do not speak to him! You don't understand! You—Oh, stop, stop!"
Sir Maurice had disengaged himself. He opened the door.