“Are you alone already?” added Captain Carden.
Mr. Wainbridge came in and greeted them with a bored air.
“I have come on business,” said Captain Carden stiffly.
“And you, Lily, have come to stay,” said Launa.
“If you will have me I shall be very glad to stay.”
“I may as well tell you the object of my visit,” said Carden, with importance. “Mrs. Wainbridge, I—”
“Stop!” said Launa.
“Never mind,” said Lily, taking hold of her hand and almost crushing it. “Let him say what he has to say, and then go.”
“I did not tell you before, because I have always wanted to remind you of one day at Victoria Mansions—the day you turned me out. I loved you, and now I am quite willing to marry you, even after the disgrace of having lived for some days as this man’s mistress, for Wainbridge is married.”
A strange and awful silence settled on them. Mr. Wainbridge’s lips were parted, and trembled slightly as he made an effort to speak. Captain Carden looked supremely triumphant, and continued: