"God help me," she breathed in her soul. "God help me!"
"Well," said Richard, with weary impatience, "we did not call you down to bore you with this! I asked to see you, Harriet, because Mr. Blondin has made the statement to me, just now, that you were heartily in accord with his plans for Nina, and that you approved of the affair!"
The prayer in Harriet's heart did not stop as she moved her wretched eyes to Blondin.
"I believed that you and she had not seen each other since December," she reminded him. "I lost no chance to advise her against the engagement! I thought it was all over!"
"Well!" Richard said, with a breath of relief. He had been watching her closely, now he settled back in his chair, and moved his contemptuous scrutiny to Blondin.
"One moment!" Royal Blondin said, gently. But he was also pale. "You believe that I would make Nina a good husband, don't you?" he asked Harriet directly and quietly.
She was not looking at him. Her eyes were on Richard Carter.
"I believe you would ruin her life!" she said, deliberately.
"Thank you," Richard said. "I think that is all, Mr. Blondin. I was aware that you had--misunderstood Mrs. Carter when you made that statement!"
"Not quite all," Blondin persisted. "You believe that Nina would be wiser not to marry me?" he asked Harriet.