The sound of her grief maddened him, and he threw prudence to the winds.
"The first reason you gave was the most convincing one, so far as you personally are concerned, Lady Hermione," he said, making the effort of his life to speak calmly.

"You said you did not want to marry any man." "Y-yes, it is true.

I d-don't." "Still, there is only one way out of your trouble.

You must marry me--to-night." The girl whirled round on him; her eyes were glistening with tears, but her face was radiant.
"Do you really mean that ?" she cried.
"I do." "Then never let anyone tell me that the age of chivalry has passed." "I fancy it has just begun," he said, though the jest nearly choked him.
"But why should you do this kind and gracious thing for a girl you have been acquainted with only a brief half-hour?
You see, I understand that you are a gentleman--I realize that, although I have plenty of money, I cannot offer to recompense you as I did that poor Jean de Courtois." "No," he agreed grimly.
"Don't you grasp what this one-sided bargain implies?
You are merely to pose as my husband until Count Vassilan leaves me in peace ?" "Yes." "And then we are to obtain a divorce ?" "You are, not I." "Isn't that a distinction without a difference ?" "Perhaps.

The fact remains that I shall agree to all your terms save one--you, of course, can divorce me at your own pleasure.