Yet it must be done." "After all, it is Maurice who will have to live with her," says Mrs.
Bethune.
"Oh, I hope not," says Margaret quickly.
"Why ?" asks Lady Rylton, turning to her with sharp inquiry.
"It would never do," says Margaret with decision.

"They are not suited to each other.

Maurice! and that _baby!_ It is absurd! I should certainly not counsel Maurice to take such a step as that!" "Why not?
Good heavens, Margaret, I hope you are not in love with him, too!" says Lady Rylton.
"Too ?" Margaret looks blank.
"She means me," says Mrs.Bethune, with a slight, insolent smile.
"You know, don't you, how desperately in love with Maurice I am ?" "I know nothing," says Miss Knollys, a little curtly.
"Ah, you will!" says Mrs.Bethune, with her queer smile.
"The fact is, Margaret," says Lady Rylton, with some agitation, "that if Maurice doesn't marry this girl, there--there will be an end of us all.

He _must_ marry her." "But he doesn't love--he barely knows her--and a marriage without love----" "Is the safest thing known." "Under given circumstances! I grant you that if two people well on in life, old enough to know their own minds, and what they are doing, were to marry, it might be different.

They might risk a few years of mere friendship together, and be glad of the venture later on.