"I will never marry."
She said it gravely, and a little coldly. He was watching her—her eyes were steadfastly fixed upon the fire.
"Never marry?" he echoed, still smiling. "What will the honorable member from Ohio say to that?"
"You allude to Mr. More, I suppose," she said, still coldly. "I am aware gossip has coupled our names, and gossip is about as correct in this instance as it usually is."
"You are not engaged to him, then!"
"I am engaged to no one. I care nothing for Mr. More, in the way you mean. Even if I did, I still would not dream of marrying him."
"And why not?"
"Why not? You ask me that—you who know the cruel, shameful story of my past, the story I should have to tell."
"You were far more sinned against than sinning, and you have atoned."
She looked up suddenly—a swift flash of light in her eyes.