The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

52 2 The Highland Monthly.
relief. It gave her a plausible loop-hole of escape, at any-
rate for the present.
me !"
" It it true."
" And you, an engaged man, come here and insult
" F'or God's sake, do not say that, Miss Somerton.
Insult you ; I would rather lay down my life than do
that !"
" Then what do you mean by the confession you have
just made ?"
"That I love you only—that I have found I do not
love her as I should love my intended wife !"
" And you are ready to break her heart to secure what
you consider your own happiness ? Where is the honour
of you men ?"
"The Professor— your father."
"Well?"
" He told me only the other evening that I would be
justified in what I am doing— at least he said every man
was justified in making two happy and one miserable rather
than making three miserable."
" You are presuming, sir."
" Pardon me—for now, when I think of it, I have made
an ass of myself I see it is impossible for such as you to
"
care for such as I— you are beautiful and rich
" I see no use in continuing the discussion."
"Then it is all over—my dream, Miss Somerton, only a
dream. I have been mad !"
him.
" I did not say so."
He looked up eagerly, a last ray of hope flashing upon
" You pity me ?"
" I have more need to pity yowx fiancee''
" Is that your only objection ?" he asked with intense
eagerness.
" It is a serious one."