“No, darling. Excuse me. I—I’m a bit upset that’s all.”
“Why?”
“I’m upset because for the last day or two I have begun to realize that our secret must very soon come out, and then—well, your mother will forbid me the house because I have no money. You know that she worships Mammon always—just as your father did—forgive me for my words.”
“I do forgive you because you speak the truth,” Dorise replied. “I know that mother wants me to marry a rich man, and—”
“And she will compel you to do so, darling. I am convinced of that.”
“She won’t!” cried the girl. “I will never marry a man I do not love!”
“Your mother, if she doesn’t suspect our compact, will soon do so,” he said. “She’s a clever woman. She is on the alert, because she intends you to marry soon, and to marry a rich man.”
“Mother is far too fond of society, I admit. She lives only for her gay friends now that father is dead. She spends lavishly upon luncheons and dinners at the Ritz, the Carlton, and Claridge’s; and by doing so we get to know all the best people. But what does it matter to me? I hate it all because——”
And she looked straight into his eyes as she broke off.
“Because,” she whispered, “because—because I love you, Hugh!”