"I don't want any man to do that," Madeline said, quietly.
"But surely such devotion as his is deserving of some recompense? He has waited patiently for you week after week, and month after month, and I am sure your coldness is driving him to the gaming-tables."
"Would you have me marry him, Beryl, if I do not love him?"
"Oh, you can love him well enough if you try, unless—unless——"
"Unless what, Beryl?"
"Oh, unless you have given way to some romantic nonsense about another man!"
"What do you mean by that?" Madeline asked, raising her eyebrows slightly.
"You know well enough what I mean, Madeline; so you need not pretend."
"I am not pretending. Besides, it is not fair to fling out mere hints that may mean a great deal, or may mean nothing at all."
"Oh, I am not blaming you very much. It was only natural, perhaps, that he should take your fancy for a moment."