Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 1.djvu/153

Rh expressive "Euh!—She is indeed, poor thing!" he said. "Since you frankly mention it, I as frankly agree with you, that I've never seen anything like it. And there's monstrous little I've not seen. But if Tony isn't crazy too?"

"It's a kind of craze that's catching. He must think of that sort of thing."

"I don't know what you mean by 'thinking!' Do you imply that the dear man, on what we know?" The Doctor couldn't phrase it.

His friend had greater courage. "Would break his vow and marry again?" She turned it over, but at last she brought out: "Never in the world."

"Then how does the chance of his thinking of Rose help her?"

"I don't say it helps her. I simply say it helps poor me."

Doctor Ramage was still mystified. "But if they can't marry?"

"I don't care whether they marry or not!"

She faced him with the bravery of this, and he broke into a happy laugh. "I don't know whether most to admire your imagination or your morality."

"I protect my girl," she serenely declared.