You are too young, and forgive me, dear, too simple, to
be mixed up in such affairs as you have been speaking of. There is only
one way to really protect you, and that is to get that special license
to-morrow."
"But you mustn't talk about it, think about it even," she protested.
"It's impossible."
"No, I think not!" he answered. "Come, I am going to make you drink a
glass of my wine. You are looking positively woebegone. That's right,
drink it down," he added, as she sipped it timidly. "Now tell me what
you are going to do for the rest of the evening."
"I am going," she said, "to try and save the life of the man who has the
paper which was stolen from me. Incidentally I may be able to get it
back again."
"Can I come too?" he asked.
"Certainly not!" she answered. "It isn't an affair for you to be mixed
up in, and besides it would spoil my chance."
"You are not encouraging," he said. "Seriously, Virginia, do let me
come."
"No!" she answered, glancing at the clock, "and I must be going in a
very few minutes."
"You haven't told me yet when you will marry me," he reminded her.
She looked at him piteously.
"Please don't be foolish," she said, "I cannot marry you; I can never
marry you.
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