“Listen to me, Molly. I know that you have discovered that I love Diana, and I know that you think to be very kind and to bring us together. But I tell you that ’twill not be kind at all, only very cruel to us both. If you worry her to come here, I must go. Do you see?”

Molly looked into the stern eyes, and her lip trembled.

“I’m very⁠—sorry!” she faltered.

Jack drew her arm through his once more.

“ ’Tis nothing to be sorry about; and, indeed, I am very grateful to you for trying to make me happy. But please do not!”

“No, I promise I will not. But⁠—but do you think you are being quite fair to⁠—”

“Molly, tell me this: do you think you are being quite good to disobey your husband?”

The blue eyes were dancing. She smiled doubtfully.