"I don't know," she answered, faintly.
I was hurt.
"Oh, very well," I observed, resentfully, "doubtless Sir William has chosen a wealthy gentleman of rank and distinction for you. He is quite right. I am only a cornet of horse, and won't be that long. All the same, I cannot see why he forbids me to wed you. He told me he wished it! I cannot see why he should so slight me! Why should he forbid me to wed you?"
"Do you care?" asked Silver Heels.
"Who—I? Care? Why—why, I don't know. It is not very pleasant to be told you are too poor and humble to wed your own kin if you wish to. Suppose I wished to?"
After a moment she said: "Well—it's too late now."
"How do you know?" I said, sharply. "I do not see why I should be driven away from you! It is unfair! It is unkind! It is mortifying and I don't like it! See here, Silver Heels, why should Sir William drive me away from you?"
"You have never needed driving," said Silver Heels.
"Yes, I have!" I retorted. "Didn't you drive me away for Bevan?"
After a silence she stole a glance at me.