“It's worse—it's a blunder,” he quoted with a smile. “It can't do any one any good, and it makes your pretty nose red. That will spoil your good looks.”
“I wish it would. My looks will never matter to anybody,” she said desperately.
He put his arm round her shoulders, just as he had done since she could remember.
“What has happened to distress you—more than usual?” he added.
She was silent for a moment, and hung her head.
“I've broken off with Tony,” she said in a low voice.
“You'll mend it up with Tony at once, my dear.”
“I'll never marry him,” declared Aline.
“You'll write and tell him that you'll marry him at the very first opportunity. There are reasons why you should, Aline, grave reasons.”
“You wouldn't have me marry any one I dislike intensely?” she flashed.