"Because I've promised—and I can't be like my—father. And I can't hurt Anthony—not when he has been so good to me."
She was sobbing again, and into the eyes of the little woman who had never had a daughter came a look of motherly solicitude.
"Dear child," she said, "if you are just going to marry Anthony Blake because you are grateful, don't you do it. No man wants a woman who feels that way—and you wouldn't make him happy——"
"But—I've sent Justin away—and he's angry with me. That is why I was crying when you found me——"
She was on her knees now beside the bed, and the old maid's arms were about her.
"There—there, dearie, you've thought too much about it, and you've come to believe that it's the things you like to do which are wrong. And it's really the other way."
Miss Matthews was thinking rapidly. There was some mystery. Anthony Blake was in love with Diana Gregory. He had always been in love with her. No one need try to tell her that he was not, for she knew. Then why was he engaged to Betty, and why had Diana gone away?
She had a sudden inspiration.
"Listen, Betty, there's just one person who can straighten things out, and that person is Diana Gregory. Men aren't any good at a time like this. They think with their heads, but women think with their hearts, and that's the kind of thinking that you need most now——"
"But, Letty——"