Page:Jepson--Pollyooly.djvu/170

 "Bigamy! 'Oo are you gittin' at?" cried Ermyntrude with a sudden note of panic in her voice.

"You have arranged to marry Alfred Brown on Wednesday fortnight; and now you come asking Mr. Vance to marry you. It can't be done," said Mr. James.

With paling face, Ermyntrude burst into a storm of violent but untruthful denial.

Mr. James let it pass; then he said, "The game's up, Ermyntrude. The law doesn't allow you to kiss one gentleman in Battersea Park and pester another to marry you."

Ermyntrude protested with even greater violence that she had never considered Hilary Vance a gentleman.

"That is purely a matter of opinion," said Mr. James in a dispassionate tone.

Ermyntrude denied this; then she suddenly assumed an air of steely dignity and said, "Give me my compensytion. Give me that fifty pounds you hoffered." "No, Ermyntrude. You have lost all claim upon Mr. Vance by your attempt to commit bigamy. Your lawyer will tell you so," said Mr. James.