But it has not been love either."
"Do I know whom you mean? May I name him? It is Phineas Finn."
"Of course it is Phineas Finn."
"Did he ever ask you,--to love him?"
"I feared he would do so, and therefore accepted Mr. Kennedy's offer
almost at the first word."
"I do not quite understand your reasoning, Laura."
"I understand it. I could have refused him nothing in my power to
give him, but I did not wish to be his wife."
"And he never asked you?"
Lady Laura paused a moment, thinking what reply she should make;--and
then she told a fib. "No; he never asked me." But Violet did not
believe the fib. Violet was quite sure that Phineas had asked Lady
Laura Standish to be his wife. "As far as I can see," said Violet,
"Madame Max Goesler is his present passion."
"I do not believe it in the least," said Lady Laura, firing up.
"It does not much matter," said Violet.
"It would matter very much. You know, you,--you; you know whom he
loves. And I do believe that sooner or later you will be his wife."
"Never."
"Yes, you will. Had you not loved him you would never have
condescended to accuse him about that woman."
"I have not accused him. Why should he not marry Madame Max Goesler?
It would be just the thing for him. She is very rich.
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