"Mr. Haddington," said Claudia, "let me speak plainly. Even if I loved you--which I don't and never shall, for immense admiration for a man's abilities is a different thing from love [Haddington looked somewhat soothed], I could never consent to accept the position of a _pis-aller_. That is not the Territon way." And Lady Claudia looked very proud. "A _pis-aller_! What in the world do you mean?" "Girls are not supposed to see anything. But do you think I imagine you would ever have honored me in this way unless a greater prize had been--had appeared to be out of reach?" This was not fair; but it was near enough to the mark to make Haddington a little uneasy. Had Kate been free, he would certainly have been in doubt. "I bear no malice about that," she continued, smiling, "only you mustn't pretend to be broken-hearted, you know." "It is a great blow to me--a great blow." Claudia looked as if she would like to say "Fudge!" but restrained herself and, with the daring characteristic of her, placed her hand on his arm. "I am so sorry, Mr. Haddington. How it must gall you to see their happiness! I can understand you turning to me as if in self-protection. But you should not ask a lady to marry you because you're piqued with another lady. It isn't kind; it isn't, indeed." Haddington was a little at loss. "Indeed, you're wholly wrong. Lady Claudia. Indeed, if you come to that, I don't see that they are particularly rapturous." "You don't mean you think they're unhappy? Mr. Haddington, I am so grieved!" "Do you mean to say you don't agree with me?" "You mustn't ask me. But, oh! I'm so sorry you think so too. Isn't it strange? So suited to one another--she so beautiful, he so clever, and both rich!" "Miss Bernard is hardly rich, is she?" "Not as Mr. Lane is, of course. She seems rich to me--forty thousand pounds, I think. Ah, Mr. Haddington, if only you had met her sooner!" "I shouldn't have had much chance against Lane." "Why do you say that? If you only knew--" "What?" "I mustn't tell you. How sad that it's too late!" "Is it?" "Of course. They're _engaged_!" "An engagement isn't a marriage. If I thought--" "Yes?" "But I can't think of that now. Good-by, Claudia. We may not meet again." "Oh, you won't go away? You mustn't let me drive you away. Oh, please, Mr. Haddington! Think, if you go, it must all come out! I should be so very, very distressed." "If you ask me, I will try to stay." "Yes, yes, stay--but forget all this. And never think again of the other--about them, I mean. You will stay?" "Yes, I will stay," said Haddington. "Unless it makes you too unhappy to see Eugene's triumph in Kate's love?" "I don't believe much in that. If that's the only thing--but I must go. I see your brother coming up the hill." "Yes, go; and I'll never tell that you tried me as--as a second string!" "That's very unjust!" he protested, but more weakly. "No, it isn't. I know your heart, and I do pity you."