“No, no⁠—of course not! I was only surprised. But I am thankfully glad he did not ask you, for all that!”

“Glad? How can you be so cruel?”

“My dear, you could not possibly marry⁠—a⁠—a⁠—”

“Common felon!” sobbed Diana. “I can⁠—I can!”

“And heaven alone knows what else he may have done! Why, child, he said himself that he had a⁠—a spotty past!”

At this her niece gave a tearful giggle.

“La! What ails you now, Di?”

“H-he never said⁠—spotty.”

Miss Betty smiled reluctantly.

“A doubtful past, then.”

“I don’t believe it!”