"Then why is she going to marry him?" asked Miss Rogers, amazedly.
"He has money," replied David Moore, nodding his head wisely; "and that's what sharp girls are looking for nowadays."
"I thought love was the ruling power which moved young girls' hearts," responded Miss Rogers, slowly. "At least, it used to be when I was a young girl like Bernardine."
He laughed uneasily, but made no reply, as Bernardine entered the room at that instant with an open letter in her hand.
"Jasper Wilde has returned to the city, father," she said, tremulously, "and—and he is coming here this evening to see us."
As the girl uttered the words, Miss Rogers was quite sure she could detect the sound of tears in her quivering voice.
"I am very glad," replied David Moore, endeavoring to speak lightly. "I shall be mighty pleased to see my prospective son-in-law."
Bernardine drew back quickly, her lovely face pitifully pale, then turned abruptly and hurried from the room.
Miss Rogers followed her. The girl went to her own apartment, threw herself on her knees, and burying her face in the counterpane, wept such bitter, passionate tears that Miss Rogers was alarmed for her.
"You poor child!" exclaimed Miss Rogers. "Sit down here beside me, and tell me the whole story—let me understand it."