"Oh, no!" was the instant reply.
"Then, as I said before, you much better let Cynthia alone," declared Madam Lee emphatically. "At her age disappointments are not fatal, and she will probably live to thank you for it. In any case it is better to blight one life than three."
Robert stared moodily down at the floor.
"This other girl is attractive, you say."
"She is very beautiful."
"You don't say so!" was the incredulous rejoinder.
"But she really is—she is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"And she has all these other virtues as well?"
She took the teacup from his passive hand and set it on the table.
"I want to see her and judge for myself," affirmed she. "I know something of beauty—and of girls, too. Why don't you bring her over here?"