“I mean that the secret which we share together forms a barrier between us--a sort of barrier. I feel every time that I see you, with my mother sitting by not knowing the compact which we have made--every one else too sitting by, having no idea that we are otherwise than free--I feel that I am treating them badly--that I am mean--underhanded--deceitful.” “Ah, my Josephine... Do you fancy that any one suspects?--your friend, Miss Severn?--she is clever--she has been saying something that has frightened you?” “Oh, cannot you even see that it would be a positive relief if any one was to suspect anything--if any one were to speak out?” “Good heavens! What a state of nervousness you must have allowed yourself to fall into when you would feel ruin to be a relief to you.” “Ruin?” “Ruin, I say; because I know that in such a case I should have no chance of getting your father’s consent--yes, and not only so: when he came to learn the truth--to be made aware of my presumption he would turn his party against me, and my career would be ruined. Do you think that I am not capable of doing something in the world, Josephine, that you would stand by and see my career ruined?” “I have every belief in your ability, only--I am not sure that a man should think so much of his career--no, I don’t mean that--I only mean that prudence and--and a career may be bought too dearly.” “Prudence--bought too dear?” “I wonder if, after all, I am so very different from other women in thinking that love is more to be preferred than a career.” “Of course it is, my dearest; but--heavens above, Josephine, would you do me the injustice to believe that I would ask you to make what all the world would call an idiotic match--well, at least an imprudent match?” “Imprudence? Who is there that can say what is a prudent marriage or what is an imprudent! If people love each other truly... psha! I have actually fallen into the strain of that detestable person--the Other Woman. I dare say that you are right and I am wrong. You see, you are a man and can reason these things out--prudent marriages and so forth; whereas I am only a woman--I cannot reason--I cannot even think--I can only feel.” “Thank heaven for that, Josephine. Ah, believe me, I have looked at this matter from every standpoint, and I long ago came to see that there was nothing for it but to do as we are doing. Believe me, my dear girl, if you were content to marry me to-morrow just as I am, I would not be content to accept such a sacrifice on your part. And for heaven’s sake, dearest, do not let any one suspect that there exists between us this--this understanding. Ah, Josephine, you will agree with me in thinking that prudence is everything.” “Everything?” “Everything--next, of course, to love. But above all, no one must be led to have the least suspicion----”