"Well, perhaps—— Oh, here is Hilarie."
The library was now deserted, save for these two, when Hilarie appeared at the door. Her face, always grave, was now stern. Humphrey saw the look on her face and coloured, conscience-stricken. With her came his other cousin, also looking grave.
"Molly dear," said Hilarie, "has Sir Humphrey been pressing you?"
The young man became confused and agitated. He understood.
"He has. He wants me to promise to go into hiding with a secret marriage. He is unable to understand that the sacrifice could not be compensated even by his society."
Hilarie turned to Sir Humphrey. "I asked you here to-night," she said, "in order to arrange this little scene. Molly, you can read this letter."
Molly read it, and looked up from the page into the shamefaced cheeks of Humphrey.
"I—I—I must go," said the double lover. "Good night, Molly."
"No, sir. Not before Molly has read the letter."