arlows either.
Perhaps there are none; most likely the rumour has no foundation in
their knowledge. Still, it is better that I should have told you. Miss
Rupert has never heard that I was engaged, nor have her friends the
Barlows--at least I don't see how they could have done. She may have
told Mrs Barlow of my proposal--probably would; and this may somehow
have got round to those other people. But Maud didn't make any mention
of Miss Rupert, did she?'

Dora replied with a cold negative.

'Well, there's the state of things. It isn't pleasant, but that's what I
have done.'

'Do you mean that Miss Rupert has accepted you?'

'No. I wrote to her. She answered that she was going to Germany for a
few weeks, and that I should have her reply whilst she was away. I am
waiting.'

'But what name is to be given to behaviour such as this?'

'Listen: didn't you know perfectly well that this must be the end of
it?'

'Do you suppose I thought you utterly shameless and cruel beyond words?'

'I suppose I am both. It was a moment of desperate temptation, though.
I had dined at the Ruperts'--you remember--and it seemed to me there was
no mistaking the girl's manner.'

'Don't call her a girl!' broke in Dora, scornfully. 'You say she is
several years older than yourself.'

'Well, at all events, she's intellectual, and very rich. I yielded to
the temptation.'

'And deserted Marian just when she has most need of help and
consolation? It's frightful!'

Jasper moved to another chair and sat down. He was much perturbed.

'Look here, Dora, I regret it; I do, indeed. And, what's more, if that
woman refuses me--as it's more than likely she will--I will go to Marian
and ask her to marry me at once. I promise that.'

His sister made a movement of contemptuous impatience.

'And if the woman doesn't refuse you?'

'Then I can't help it. But there's one thing more I will say. Whether I
marry Marian or Miss Rupert, I sacrifice my strongest feelings--in the
one case to a sense of duty, in the other to worldly advantage. I was
an idiot to write that letter, for I knew at the time that there was a
woman who is far more to me than Miss Rupert and all her money--a woman
I might, perhaps, marry. Don't ask any questions; I shall not answer
them. As I have said so much, I wished you to understand my position
fully. You know the promise I have made. Don't say anything to Marian;
if I am left free I shall marry her as soon as possible.'

And s