"I can't do that," replied Rupert, thinking of his secret marriage, "and I don't see why you should refuse to let me love her."
"I can't prevent that," snapped Miss Wharf, "love her as much as you choose, but as another man's wife," and again she looked oddly at Rupert, who wondered what she meant.
"What an immoral remark," he said, "perhaps you will explain."
"Mr. Ainsleigh I will be frank with you," said the lady calmly, "you have no money, and are liable to lose Royabay. I hold a mortgage it is true and by the end of the year I can foreclose; but that, I shall not do if you give up Olivia. If I foreclose, you know well enough that your other creditors will come down on you, and you will lose all. I hold the scales," added she significantly.
"I see that well enough Miss Wharf, but many things may happen before the end of the year."
"You mean that you will get the money to pay me and others?"
"I might even mean that," answered Rupert coolly, "and if I am a bad match, I don't think Mr. Burgh is a better. I have at least a position and a clean name."
"What do you know about Clarence Burgh?" she asked quickly.
"Nothing, save that he is an adventurer, Miss Wharf. He comes from nowhere, and swaggers about Marport as if it belonged to him. He has no recognised position and he is not a gentleman."
"Oh but he is, and I want him to marry Olivia."
"And thus you would condemn Olivia to misery. She loves me--"
"A girl's love," said Miss Wharf coolly, "she'll soon get over that. Mr. Burgh is Lavinia's nephew, and I have promised Lavinia that Olivia shall be his wife."
"Why in heaven's name?" asked Rupert angrily, "he has no money."
"Oh yes he has, and may have a chance of getting more. Lavinia has been a good friend to me for years and years--all my life in fact, Mr. Ainsleigh. I owe much to her, and I intend to repay her. Her heart is set on this match and Olivia must marry Clarence."
"Olivia shall. I set my will against yours Mr. Ainsleigh."
"You'll find my will is stronger," said Rupert coolly.
Miss Wharf gave a short laugh. "Try," she said curtly; then her hard eyes softened and her cold manner grew warmer. "Don't let us quarrel," she said gently. "I wish you well, and would give you anything save Olivia--"