"My dear, is it certain that Mr. Southwode knows his?"
"I should not like to ask him, madame," said Rotha, while the corners of her mouth twitched. "He is not that kind of man. And there is nobody else to ask him. I am afraid we shall have to let it stand."
Mrs. Mowbray looked doubtful and ill at ease.
"Mr. Southwode is a very rich man,—" she remarked after a minute or two.
"What then, Mrs. Mowbray?" Rotha asked quickly.
"And, my dear, you have only known him as a little girl," the lady went on, waiving the question.
"What of that, madame?"
"You can hardly be said to know him at all."
"It is too late to speak of that now," said Rotha, laying her gloves together and taking off her scarf. "But I saw more as a child, than most people have a chance to see as grown-up people."
"My dear, I am concerned about your welfare, in this most important step of your life. Have you accepted this gentleman out of gratitude?"