"My dear sir," said Mrs. Belswin, candidly, "your income may be enough for one but it certainly is not enough for two, particularly when the other is a girl brought up as Kaituna has been. If you marry Kaituna without her father's consent, you drag her down to poverty."
"Yes, you do. It's no good glossing over those matters. Better look at the hard simple facts, Mr. Maxwell, and you will find it best in the long run. You love Kaituna, she loves you, and you look forward to love in a cottage and all that kind of thing, which does not exist out of novels. The reality, however, is not so pleasant."
"Certainly not. Kahuna's happiness is as dear to me as it is to you. If you left her she would pine away, and I'm sure you would not be happy."
"Mrs. Belswin," cried the young man in desperation, "I don't know what you mean. You blow hot and cold; you are both for and against. You say marry Kaituna, and then you add it is a selfish thing to drag her to poverty. I don't understand your meaning."
"Oh, the density of lovers," said Mrs. Belswin, with an angry flash of her fierce eyes. "You are like all men, my dear Mr. Maxwell, and never see an inch beyond your nose. Does it never strike you that I am also fond of Kaituna, and would do anything to insure her happiness."
"Yes, even I. Oh, don't look so disbelieving, my friend. I may have more power than you think with Sir Rupert."
"Don't I?" replied Mrs. Belswin, grimly. "That's all you know. Well, here is your train, Mr. Maxwell, so I'll say good-bye."
"But what are you going to do?" said Archie as they went out on to the platform.
"Will you get Sir Rupert to consent to our marriage?"
Maxwell jumped into a first-class carriage with a sigh of despair, and put his head out of the window for a moment as the train started.
"I don't know your meaning, but you seem to have some power, so I'll leave the future happiness of Kaituna and myself in your hands."
"Very well; you will see your trust has not been misplaced."
Mrs. Belswin, however, was promising more than she could perform, and stood frowning deeply as the train went off. From this reverie she was aroused by a touch on her shoulder, and on turning saw Ferrari.
"Is it the one who is ready to do for you what I refuse."