Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/131

 "Of course it is." But the girl's solemnity was a little too much.

"My dear!" A gust of ribald laughter overwhelmed her. "Hasn't it ever struck you that the so-called aristocracy racket is all a bluff?"

"Surely, it can't be." The tone was genuine dismay.

"Every word of it, my dear. There's only one thing behind it and that's money. If Wrexham ever sticks a coronet on the head of my Milly and robes her in ermine she'll be the equal of any in the land, just as old Bill Brown who was in the last birthday honors is as good a peer as the best of 'em now that his soap business has brought him into Park Lane. I knew Bill when he hadn't a bob. It's just a matter of L.S.D. As for the frills, they are all my eye and Elizabeth Martin. When my Milly gets among them, it won't take her a week to learn all their tricks. They are just so many performing dogs."

"You don't understand, you don't understand!" The tone was tragic.

VIII

A night's reflection convinced the girl that there was only one thing to be done. The engagement must end. But as she soon found, it was easier to make the resolve than to carry it out. To begin with, it was terribly irksome, in present circumstances, to give effect to her decision and to back it with reasons.

Her début in the Row had been so successful that a ride had been arranged for the next morning. But it was spoiled completely by the specter now haunting her.