'My dear Lady Desmond, I think you will admit that Edith and I have arrived at years of discretion?'
'You'll never do that if you live to be a hundred. You've ruined my life, and you've ruined hers. You've made her prematurely old. Look at her! Who would think, to see her now, that not long ago she was the most beautiful girl in England, and that she had only to lift her finger to have any man in England at her feet? She has no father or brother to protect her, or she'd have been rid of you long ago. But you've promised that you'll stand no longer in her way, and if you've a shred of manhood in you, you'll keep your word.'
I went round to where she sat.
'Edith, what am I to do?'
Getting up, she put her hands upon my shoulders.
'Marry me in what I stand up in; and take me to live with you in country lodgings.'
'You hear, Lady Desmond. Edith is going to be my wife.'
'Then she'll be no daughter of mine.'
'Excuse me,' cried Reggie, 'but it strikes me that I ought to have a word in this. You seem to forget, aunt, that if Douglas is in a hole, it's because of what he's done for me.'
'I forget nothing. If you choose to behave like a sensible person, you will be able to repay Mr. Howarth any moneys he may have advanced you, together with sufficient interest, within three months.'