As he spoke he was not aware that he merely repeated Valerie's own words; he remained still unconscious that his decision was in fact merely her decision; that his entire attitude had become hers because her nature and her character were as yet the stronger. But in his words his sister's quick intelligence perceived a logic and a conclusion entirely feminine and utterly foreign to her brother's habit of mind. And she realised with a thrill of fear that she had to do, not with her brother, but with a woman who was to be reckoned with. "Do you--or does Miss West think it likely that I am a woman to wound, to affront another--no matter who she may be? Surely, Louis, you could have told her very little about me--" "I never mention you to her." Lily caught her breath. "Why?" "Why should I?" "That is unfair, Louis! She has the right to know about your own family--otherwise how can she understand the situation?" "It's like all situations, isn't it? You and father and mother have your own arbitrary customs and traditions and standards of respectability. You rule out whom you choose. Valerie West knows perfectly well that you would rule her out. Why should she give you the opportunity?" "Is she afraid of me?" He smiled: "I don't think so." And his smile angered his sister. "Very well," she said, biting her lip. For a few moments she sat there deliberating, her pointed patent-leather toe tapping the polished floor. Then she stood up, with decision: "There is no use in our quarrelling, Louis--until the time comes when some outsider forces us into an unhappy misunderstanding. Kiss me good-bye, dear." She lifted her face; he kissed her; and her hand closed impulsively on his arm: "Louis! Louis! I love you. I am so proud of you--I--you know I love you, don't you?" "Yes--I think so." "You _know_ I am devoted to your happiness!--your _real_ happiness--which those blinded eyes in that obstinate head of yours refuse to see. Believe me--believe me, dear, that your _real_ happiness is not in this pretty, strange girl's keeping. No, no, no! You are wrong, Louis--terribly and hopelessly wrong! Because happiness for you lies in the keeping of another woman--a woman of your own world, dear--of your own kind--a gently-bred, lovable, generous girl whom you, deep in your heart and soul, love, unknowingly--have always loved!" He shook his head, slowly, looking down into his sister's eyes. She said, almost frightened: "You--you won't do it--suddenly--without letting us know--will you, Louis?" "What?" "Marry this girl!" "No," he said, "it is not likely." "But you--you mean to marry her?" "I want to.... But it is not likely to happen--for a while." "How long?" "I don't know." She drew a tremulous breath of relief, looking up into his face. Then her eyes narrowed; she thought a moment, and her gaze became preoccupied and remote, and her lips grew firm with the train of thought she was pursuing.