"Some day you'll know such things aren't joking matters," he gravely reproved her.
She turned to him, unable longer to sustain her pretence. Her voice quavered and broke: "But it's—it's true! I do!"
She bent over with her face in her hands, and her slender form shook with silent sobs. He came quickly around to her, his eyes soft with commiseration. "You poor little girl! So you lose out, too!"
She looked up at him with her tearful dark eyes, and clutched eagerly at the lapel of his coat.
"Mr. Blake! He has told me how resolute you are. You must not give up! I'm certain Vievie likes you. If only mamma hadn't meddled! She's always messing things. It's just because she can't realize I'm in long frocks. If—if only she had seen how much grander it would be to make herself the mother-in-law of an earl, instead of a mere aunt-in-law!"
Blake's face darkened morosely. "That's the way things are—misdeal all around. Your mother is right. You've lost out; I've lost out. What's the use?"
"Surely you're not going to give up?" she demanded.
"I've never before been called a quitter; but—sooner I get out from between her and Jimmy, the better," he rejoined, and turning on his heel, he started toward the door by which Ashton had left.
"But, Mr. Blake," she urged, "wait. I wish to tell you—"
"No use," he broke in, without turning or stopping.