"George, I have a confession to make. It was not you who fell in love with me, it was I who fell in love with you."
"Dora!"
"It is true. It was at Lady Brentford's ball. I saw you there for the first time. I fell in love with you--at sight. You see, when your turn came, you did not make up your mind more rapidly than I had done. It was a case of Goethe's mutual affinity! I saw you at other houses. I went to them on purpose to see you, but I took care never to be introduced to you."
"Why?"
"You know that I am the great Sarah, George. But when I found that you had come to the very hotel at which I was stopping, I formed a little plot. I changed my quarters, I dropped the Freemantle, and became Miss Hardy. Then--then I thrust myself right into your path, and--and it was all soon over. Are you sorry, George?"
"Sorry! But--but about those notes?"
"You goose! They came from me. I knew you had been betting, and I knew that you had lost. I didn't want to lose you for a pound or two. But when you told me that you would not owe your salvation to a woman's money--not knowing who the woman was--why, then I sent you the 'tip' for Ceruleans instead. It was the best thing that I ever did, for it brought me you."
Mr Coventry took off his hat. He wiped his brow. He seemed to be turning matters over in his mind.
"I shall always call you Dora."
"Call me what you please."