“You do not know us, Dolly,” he replied, looking straight into her eyes. “In matters of love we men usually follow our own course, whether it leads us to happiness or to woe.”
“That is exactly why I came here to-day,” she said anxiously. “I wanted to tell you what Mr Egerton says of her.”
“What does he say?”
“Promise not to repeat anything I tell you.”
“Upon my honour, I will not,” he declared.
“A few days ago we were speaking of her, and he told me of your admiration and love. He said that if you knew the truth you would hate her like poison—that she had brought a curse upon others, and she would bring unhappiness and ruin upon you.”
Hugh gazed thoughtfully into the fire.
“And you have come to tell me that, little one?” he remarked reflectively.
“Yes, I want to save you,” was the earnest, naïve reply.
“To save me,” he echoed, with a smile. “Why, any one would think I was in danger of going by the express route across Styx.”