“What?” he asked.
“Oh, I... he... Billy.
“I am such a wicked woman, Ned. I know you will never speak to me again.”
“This—er—this Billy,” he began haltingly. “He is your brother?”
“No... he... I didn't know. I was so young. I could not help it. Oh, I shall go mad! I shall go mad!”
It was then that Loretta felt his shoulder and the encircling arm become limp. He drew away from her gently, and gently he deposited her in a big chair, where she buried her face and sobbed afresh. He twisted his moustache fiercely, then drew up another chair and sat down.
“I—I do not understand,” he said.
“I am so unhappy,” she wailed.
“Why unhappy?”
“Because... he... he wants me to marry him.”