“I’m going to be quite frank with you, my darling,” he hurried on, not waiting for her to reply. “I’ve had a little tiff with the governor over this. He wanted me to wait till something definite could be learned about you--your origin, you know, Thea. And he is so deuced proud, he threw out hints of disinheritance if I disobeyed him and spoke to you before he found out. You won’t mind, will you? I know you won’t if you love me, and the governor will be sure to come round soon. Even if he didn’t, I believe my mother would help us; she’s so fond of me she couldn’t hold out long. I’ve my law practice, anyway, you know--enough for love in a cottage.” “Is it your father you’re talking about, Mr. Bentley, please?” Thea faltered, miserably. Oh, what had she done to bring this down upon her head? “Yes, the governor. You don’t mind him, do you, Thea? He will come round all right, I know. You do like me, don’t you? You will have me? I love you so madly--have loved you ever since the first time I saw you.” “Oh, I’m so sorry!” cried Thea. She pulled away her hands when he tried to clasp them, and tears came into her blue eyes. “Sorry about the governor? Oh, that doesn’t matter, Thea. He will certainly come round, I tell you!” the young man cried, feverishly, eagerly. “Oh, I don’t mean him--it’s you!” she cried, tearfully. “I’m so sorry you love me. Like that, too, to run such risks for my sake--poverty and--everything. And I can’t have you, you know. I’m engaged to Mr. de Vere.” He recoiled as if she had struck him; his dark eyes caught a haggard, hunted look. “You are jesting!” he cried. “I am not. I am going to marry Mr. de Vere,” she said, proudly. “That old man! Old enough to be your father! And broke his first wife’s heart, too! You can’t pretend you love him!” in impatient anger. “I worship him!” she answered, defiantly. “I do not thank you for calling him old, either. He is only eighteen years older than I am, and I don’t want him a day younger. I think him grand, magnificent!” “Thea, for God’s sake, throw him over and take me! For all his fame he will not make you happy. He married his first wife for money, and then broke her heart.” “But I have no money. He is going to marry me for love,” she replied, with pretty triumph; then, indignantly, “Mr. Bentley, is it gentlemanly to censure your host under his own roof?” “I am not accountable. You have driven me mad!” he answered, hoarsely. “Good heavens, Thea West, you must be the cruelest coquette in the world. Every one thought you would be only too glad to marry me. You certainly seemed fond of me. You know it.” “It is false. I treated you as I did all the rest. I hope I am kind to every one; but I was in love with my guardian all the time, and--and--I won’t stay to hear another word!” Thea panted, turning quickly to leave him.