"Rose!" the exclamation seemed wrung from her by sheer bitter surprise. She stared at him incredulously.
He coloured, deeply now, to his powdered side-curls.
"I do not know what impossible romance you have been building, Susannah, but this you speak of I have never even contemplated."
"You—you do not intend to marry Selina?"
"You imagined I did? My dear, it would be the simplest folly."
Susannah rose and rested her hand against the mantelshelf.
"Please put this clearly," she said; "why would it be folly?"
He smiled.
"You yourself, my dear, have remarked the state of my fortunes—Miss Boyle is not wealthy."
"Money—again money!" cried Miss Chressham in horrified accents. "Do you dare to consider money—after all that has passed?"