"Say no more!" broke in Susannah. "You will break her heart, that is all."
"Do you speak of Selina Boyle?"
"Of whom else? Miss Trefusis is aware of what she does. What do I care for her? I regard Selina——"
"She hath said farewell. She would say no other word."
Susannah broke out passionately.
"Oh, cannot you understand? She cares for you beyond anything in the world; she thinks that so do you care for her, and if you marry—Ah, but I can say no more!"
"There is no more to be said," answered my lord. "These ideas are sweet, but over-romantical. I shall ask for the hand of Miss Trefusis to-morrow, as I am a very ordinary gentleman and cannot go to ruin for a whim."
Miss Chressham pressed her brow wearily.
"My head aches, and we cannot converse on such things in the crowd, amid the light and music, neither can I recollect all I would say."
"You despise me," smiled the Earl. He laughed lightly.