She would marry me if you'd let her; she will never marry me if my family is unkind to her--" "What _will_ she do, then ?" asked Lily, coolly.
For a moment he let her words pass, then, turned around.

The expression of his sister's brightly curious eyes perplexed him.
"What do you mean ?" he asked, disturbed.
"What I say, Louis.

I asked you what Miss West means to do if she does not marry you?
Discontinue her indiscreet intimacy with you ?" "Why should she ?" Lily said, sharply: "I would not have to put that question to a modest girl." "I have to put it to _you_!" he retorted, beginning to lose his self-command.

"Why should Valerie West discontinue her friendship with me because my family's stupid attitude toward her makes it impossible for a generous and proud girl to marry me ?" Lily, pale, infuriated, leaned forward in her chair.
"Because," she retorted violently, "if that intimacy continues much longer a stupid world and your stupid family will believe that the girl is your mistress! But in that event, thank God, the infamy will rest where it belongs--not on us!" A cold rage paralysed his speech; she saw its ghastly reflection on his white and haggard face--saw him quiver under the shock; rose involuntarily, terrified at the lengths to which passion had scourged her: "Louis," she faltered--"I--I didn't mean that!--I was beside myself; forgive me, please! Don't look like that; you are frightening me--" She caught his arm as he passed her, clung to it, pallid, fearful, imploring,--"W-what are you going to do, Louis! Don't go, dear, please.
I'm sorry, I'm very, very humble.

Won't you speak to me?
I said too much; I was wrong;--I--I will try to be different--try to reconcile myself to--to what--you--wish--" He looked down at her where she hung to him, tearful face lifted to his: "I didn't know women could feel that way about another woman," he said, in a dull voice.