Hers, indeed, was a cruel position.

Her face was her fortune, and her fortune she knew was deteriorating from day to day.

She could not afford to lose the lover that she loved, and also the lover that she did not love.

Matrimony with her was extremely desirable, and she was driven to confess that it might very probably be either now or never.

Much as she hated Peppermint, she was quite aware that she would take him if she could not do better.