"Perhaps he was willing to meet his fate," suggested Phoebe.
"Not a doubt about it," said her husband. "So complete was his beguilement."
"You entirely ignore the possibility that Bridget may be sincerely fond of him," said Carrissima.
"Just as she was fond first of Mark, then of father," retorted Lawrence. "You must admit that she angled for each in turn, and that she finally chose the richest."
"Oh dear, yes," said Carrissima. "What is more, she would make the same admission herself."
"A little barefaced," remarked Phoebe.
"Anyhow," Carrissima insisted, "I believe that Bridget simply fell in love with Jimmy, and that was why she altered her course."
"Rotten sentimentality!" exclaimed Lawrence. "The curse of the age. Oh, there's no doubt she was clever. She played her cards so well that she succeeded in deceiving the principal looker-on as well as her victim."
"Victim or not," said Carrissima, "I positively can't feel sorry for
Jimmy."
"Neither can I," cried Lawrence. "I always find it difficult to pity a fool. Anyhow, I hope you have done with her," he added.