"I did not; I merely reminded you that she is a celebrated professional model."
"It is not necessary to remind me. My mother knows it and will stand by her. Will you do less for your own brother?"
"Louis! You are cruel, selfish, utterly heartless—"
"I am trying to think of everybody in the family who is concerned; but, when a man's in love he can't help thinking a little of the woman he loves—especially if nobody else does." He turned his head and looked out of the window. Stars were shining faintly in a luminous sky. His face seemed to have grown old and gray and haggard:
"I don't know what to do," he said, as though speaking to himself;—"I don't know where to turn. She would marry me if you'd let her; she will never marry me if my family is unkind to her—"
"What will she do, then?" asked Lily, coolly.
For a moment he let her words pass, then, turned around. The expression of his sister's brightly curious eyes perplexed him.
"What do you mean?" he asked, disturbed.
"What I say, Louis. I asked you what Miss West means to do if she does not marry you? Discontinue her indiscreet intimacy with you?"
"Why should she?"