“Ah, but you are not answering my question!”
“Would it please you if my answer were, ‘I do love him?’”
Marie coloured and was silent.
“Ah! you are not answering my question,” smiled Pauline. And then after a pause she continued:—
“Lord Courtenay is never likely to ask me to be his wife, but if he were to ask, my answer would be, ‘No.’”
She spoke in a tone that carried instant conviction to Marie’s heart.
“Why?” she asked simply.
“Because I have promised myself to another.”
This was indeed a surprise to Marie—a welcome one, as her looks testified. Pauline was not her rival, then.
“I am willing,” said Pauline, “to tell you his name, on one condition.”