By now we had passed to the side of the house in search of some
other flower that grew in the shade, I think it was mignonette,
and were out of sight of the verandah and quite alone.
"Mr. Quatermain," she said hurriedly, "I am wondering whether to
ask your advice about something, if you would give it. I have no
one to consult here," she added rather piteously.
"That is for you to decide. If you wish to do so I am old enough
to be your father, and will do my best to help."
We walked on to an orange grove that stood about forty yards
away, ostensibly to pick some fruit, but really because we knew
that there we should be out of hearing and could see any one who
approached.
"Mr. Quatermain," she said presently in a low voice, "I am in
great trouble, almost the greatest a woman can have. I am
engaged to be married to a man whom I do not care for."
"Then why not break it off? It may be unpleasant, but it is
generally best to face unpleasant things, and nothing can be so
bad as marrying a man whom you do not--care for."
"Because I cannot--I dare not. I have to obey."
"How old are you, Miss Marnham?"
"I shall be of age in three months' time. You may guess that I
did not intend to return here until they were over, but I was,
well--trapped. He wrote to me that my father was ill and I
came."
"At any rate when they are over you will not have to obey any
one. It is not long to wait."
"It is an eternity.
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