Then lies _might_ have done the rest.

But lying is now useless in regard to her." "Perfectly," he said.

"She would not permit it." In his vacant gaze there was something changed--a fixedness born of a slow and hopeless enlightenment.
"If that is the case, there is no chance," he said thoughtfully.

"I had not considered that aspect." "I had." He shook his head slightly, gazing through the window at the starry lustre overhead.
"I wouldn't care," he said, "if she would only marry me.

If she'd do that I'd never bother anybody--nor embarrass the family--" "Louis!" "I mean make any social demands on you....