“That’s the talk!” cried Stephen exultingly.
“Yup; perhaps she can. She may be a business woman, too, you know. If money and style and social position’s what counts and she wants to force you to keep your promise, why, I’m her guardian and she can count on me to back her up. What do you say, Caroline? I’m at your service. I—”
But Caroline interrupted him.
“Stop!” she cried wildly. “Oh, stop! Do you think—do you suppose I would marry him now? Now, after I’ve seen what he is? Oh,” with a shudder of disgust, “when I think what I might have done, I.... Thank God that the money has gone! I’m glad I’m poor! I’m glad!”
“Caro, you fool!” shrieked Stephen. She did not heed him.
“Let me go!” she cried. “Let me get away from him; from this room! I never want to see him or think of him again. Please! please let me go! Oh, take me home! Captain Warren, please let me go home!”
Her uncle was at her side in a moment. “Yes, yes, dearie,” he said, “I’ll take you home. Don’t give way now! I’ll—”
He would have taken her arm, but she shrank from him.
“Not you!” she begged. “Steve!”
The captain’s face clouded, but he answered promptly.