“She does not know that, and you will not tell her because you have so much regard for her grandfather’s good name,” with a sneer.
“I see. It is your plot to ruin her; but it will fail, because she will never consent to marry you,” he continued.
“How do you know that?” asked Kāra.
“It is improbable that she can love you.”
“In that, sir, I am inclined to differ with you. Even if Aneth discovered our relationship, it would not matter. In olden days our Egyptian kings married their sisters. And I suppose that Lord Roane would emphatically deny the assertion that I am his grandson. I would myself deny it, and you have no proof to back your statement of the fact.”
“You told me the story with your own lips.”
“To be sure—and the story was true. I do not mind acknowledging it at this moment, because there are no witnesses present; but if you repeat the statement in public, I will deny it absolutely.”
For a moment Winston remained thoughtfully silent. Then he said:
“You are proposing a dreadful crime, Kāra, but it will avail you nothing to defy morality in this way. There is another reason why Miss Consinor will refuse to marry you, and it is entirely distinct from the subject of your relationship.”
“To what do you refer?”