“How has this report of your engagement got into the papers?” Her lips curled a little. “I presume you would hardly act to me like this if it is true.” “It is true in one sense, and not another.” “Oh...” She seemed a little taken aback. “In what way is it true. Are you engaged to Miss Bootes?” “Yes.” “Indeed!” She lifted her eyebrows, and moved a pace or two farther away. “Don’t move away from me,” he said a little thickly. “It isn’t the part that’s true which matters, but the part that is not true.” “I don’t understand.” “I brought you here to explain. I can do so very quickly. I am in a tight corner. The tightest corner I ever was in my life. Only one thing can save me. I must have money. Miss Bootes, or at any rate her father, wants a title. I haven’t the shadow of a choice. I have got to sell her mine.” Again Hal’s lips curled, and a little spark of fire shone in her eyes. “Oh, I can understand all that!” She tossed her head half-unconsciously. “But why”—her lips quivered a little—“did you think it necessary to insult both of us by, at the same time, becoming lover-like to me?” “I told you why; because I love you.” He stepped up to her, and caught both her hands in an iron grip. “Now, listen to me, Hal. Don’t try to break away, for I won’t let you go. I tell you it’s a matter of life and death. In your heart you know quite well that I love you. You knew it when I kissed you last Saturday, and you were glad. I don’t know when you read that announcement, but whenever it was, your heart said to you ‘Whether it’s true or not, he loves _me_’. Probably you didn’t believe it was true, because you knew nothing whatever about the devilish mess I was in. But in any case, your heart told you right. I do love you. I love you with every bit of me that knows how to love. If I have to be hers in name, I am at any rate yours at heart, and shall be all my life. Now, what have you to say?” She tried to drag her hands away, but he gripped them tightly, forcing her to feel his strength, his resolve, and his masterfulness. “I have nothing to say. What should I have? You have elected to sell yourself, to let a woman”—with swift scorn—“buy you out of a tight corner. I… I…” in a low tense voice, “am sorry we ever met.” “Why?—” He hurled the monosyllable at her, now almost crushing her hands in his grasp, as he waited, silently compelling her to reply. “Because the friendship was pleasant. It has meant a good deal. And now for it to end like this!… for me to have to scorn you.” “Why need it end?… Why should you scorn me?… Wouldn’t every second man you know in my place act exactly as I am acting? I have no choice. I ought not to tell you, but my political chiefs have issued an ultimatum to me, and I have got to obey it. Do you suppose I would consider it for a moment if I could find any other way out? Do you suppose I would risk losing you, would even dream of giving you up, if I were not driven to it by the very hell-hounds of circumstance?