"No; I have gone too far for that," he answered, making an effort to fight down the dictates of his increasing love and keep his head thoroughly clear.
"In the first place, when you wire me in the future use another name, for safety—say Jeraldine. In the next place, I am very much hampered by the blindness of my mission. I can see, I think, that the Robinsons expected some legacy which you are now apparently about to inherit, and your marriage became necessary to fulfill some condition of the will. Is this correct?"
"Yes, quite correct." She remained very pale.
"Who was it that died, leaving the will? And when did he die?"
"Another uncle, Mr. John Hardy—quite recently," she answered.
"You are not in mourning."
"By his special request. He died very suddenly. He left a condition in his will that I should inherit his fortune provided I should have been married at least one month prior to his death to a healthy, respectable man—who was not to be my cousin."
"Theodore?"
She nodded. "You can see I had to have a husband."
"Exactly."