"What does that matter if Nature made him a clown?"
"Which Nature had not done. No, no; give him his due. He was commonplace, and not very well educated——"
"And do these empty social distinctions count with you?" he questioned.
"I sometimes hate them," she answered. "But what can I do? There is no escape. The laws of society are as inflexible as the laws of the Medes and Persians."
"And you will fling love away as an offering to the prejudices of your father?"
"Why do you tempt me? You must surely see how hard it is!"
"Then you do love me!" he cried; and he caught her in his arms and kissed her.
For a moment she struggled as if to free herself. Then her head dropped upon his shoulder.
"Oh, Ralph," she whispered, "let me love you for one brief minute; then we must say farewell for ever!"