‘But I have,’ said Marie with eagerness.

‘But your father—­’

’It does not depend upon papa.  If papa treats me badly, I can give it to my husband.  I know I can.  If I can venture, cannot he?’

‘I think it is impossible.’

’Impossible!  Nothing should be impossible.  All the people that one hears of that are really true to their loves never find anything impossible.  Does he love me, Miss Carbury?  It all depends on that.  That’s what I want to know.’  She paused, but Hetta could not answer the question.  ’You must know about your brother.  Don’t you know whether he does love me?  If you know I think you ought to tell me.’  Hetta...