"Why, this marriage--this marriage"-- she beats her hand upon a table near her--"one would think it was a fact accomplished!" "I was only saying," says Miss Knollys, looking with a gentle glance at Marian, "that if Maurice _were_ to marry this girl----" "It would be an honour to her," interrupts Lady Rylton hotly.
"It would be a degradation to him," says Margaret coldly.

"He does not love her." She might have said more, but that suddenly Marian Bethune stops her.

The latter, who is leaning against the curtains of the window, breaks into a wild little laugh.
"Love--what is love ?" cries she.

"Oh, foolish Margaret! Do not listen to her, Tessie, do not listen." She folds the soft silken curtains round her slender figure, and, hidden therein, still laughs aloud with a wild passion of mirth.
"It is you who are foolish," cries Margaret, with some agitation.
"I ?" She lets the curtains go; they fall in a sweep behind her.

She looks out at Margaret, still laughing.