'That is well,' she returned calmly. 'There must never be anything between us. I could not bear that.' Then her breast heaved a little, and a large tear stole down her face. 'Will you tell mother and Michael what I have said—that I will never give him up?'
And then she walked very slowly out of the room.
Half an hour later Michael came into the study. He did not speak; but the Doctor shook his head as he came silently towards him.
'It is a bad business, Mike. That girl of mine will give us trouble. She is as good as gold, but she will give us trouble.'
'She refuses to give him up?'
Michael sat down as he asked the question; his strength seemed to have deserted him.
'That is what she says—that she will regard herself as altogether bound to him. She is very firm. With all her goodness and sweetness, Audrey has a strong will.'
'Do you mean that she will still marry him?'
'Not unless I will give my consent. No, Mike; she is a dutiful child. She will never give herself to any man without her parents' blessing and approval; but she will not marry anyone else.'
Then there was a curious fixed look on Michael's face.