She strove to keep her reasoning, soothing tone. “It ought to be plain to you, Jack. You are entirely dependent on your father. If he were told of our marriage--particularly since he’s so eager to have you marry that other girl--he’d be sure to cut you off in every way, and I’m not going to have that happen to you.” Within herself she was also saying that if Mr. Morton were told of the marriage, and if she and Jack lived in the open, father and son would inevitably and swiftly learn who she really was--and that would end everything. “We must keep it all quiet, Jack,” she went on, “and keep on waiting, and after a time we’ll have our chance to win your father around. You leave it to me.” His face had suddenly darkened at mention of his father. “What did Clifford offer you in my father’s behalf, after we’d gone?” he demanded abruptly. “Mr. Clifford told me that your father would give me in settlement any sum I might mention.” “And your reply to that?” “I didn’t make any reply. There was none.” “He’ll expect a reply. He’ll come for it himself, if necessary.” “That’s one reason for my moving--because I knew he would come.” “Was that all dad offered?” Jack demanded. “You made a big hit with him.” She thought it best that the inflammable youth should remain ignorant of the father’s invitation, convoyed by orchids each worth a bank-note, to the supposedly disespoused mistress of his son to join him in a very exclusive cruise. “That was all that happened,” she answered steadily. Quickly, but without seeming haste, she shifted from this dangerous subject, back to their difference. “Of course you agree, Jack,” she pressed him, “that we must still keep things quiet, and keep on waiting?” His desperate mood was instantly back upon him again. “Even if we could keep up that pretense,” he cried,--“why, you’re forgetting Maisie Jones! You’re forgetting my predicament!” “Your predicament?” “I can’t keep it quiet, even if I want to! Don’t you see? Now that I’ve settled down into a steady business man--your doing!--all parties are willing that Maisie and I should at once be formally engaged and then be married in a very short time. Father’s pushing it across as though it were a big option that expired to-morrow. Get the fix that puts me in? There are only three things for me to do. Run away from it all, in which case dad’ll be done with me as long as he lives. Or say I won’t go through with the thing with Maisie, and give no reasons--which means the same result. Or else come right out with the truth that I’m married to you. See my fix?”