“There’ll be the devil to pay,” he said. “The poor old guv’nor will go off his head. Aunt Mary will go off her head. They’ll all go off their heads. I shall have to exchange and go out to India.”
The colour had gone out of her cheeks.
“Why should they punish you for me?” she asked.
“Because it’s the law of the world,” he explained. “They’ve got to kick somebody. When he’s a millionaire with his seat in the House of Lords they’ll forgive us.”
“You’re making me feel pretty mean and selfish,” she said.
“Love is selfish,” he answered. “Don’t see how you can help that.” He halted suddenly in front of her. “You do love him?” he demanded. “You are not afraid to be selfish? You are going to let me down. You are going to hurt the guv’nor, very seriously. He hasn’t had much luck in life. This is going to be the last blow. You are willing to inflict it.”
The tears were in her eyes.
“I must,” she answered.
He took her by the shoulders.
“If you had hesitated,” he said, “I should have known it wasn’t the real thing. You are under orders, kid, and can’t help yourself.