"Cousin Fenella, listen to me! Under ordinary conditions, for a girl like yourself to dance on the stage would be to risk more unhappiness and humiliation and treachery than you'd believe if I told you. There's one place in which a word from me can secure you your peace of mind. That's the Dominion. Don't turn away from luck."
"You mean that I—that you——"
"That the mere hint, in quarters where it's most wanted, that you're a protégée of mine will rid you once for all of unwelcome attentions."
Fenella considered. "In fact, in order to keep my peace of mind, I must lose my reputation."
"Do you care very much what the world says? Do you have to—still?"
The last word was pitched so low that she hardly caught it. But, whisper as it was, it decided her.
"No. I don't care. Not—that." She snapped her fingers.
"That's right," said the sporting baronet encouragingly. "It's a bargain then? Dominion or nothing?"
"Yes."
"I'm writing Joe to-night. Shall I tell him we go into training after Christmas?"