I am young, I have money, I have
power; I work for the love of doing things, and you are learning
to do the same. I can help you, oh, so much! We can win happiness
together just as easily as we can win material success, and that
is ours now for the asking. It dazzles me to think of it, Kirk. It
is like a glimpse of paradise, and I can show it all to you." She
was bending forward, her lips parted, the color gleaming in her
cheeks, her whole face transformed by a passionate eagerness.
"Wait!" he said, harshly. "You force me to break my word. I don't
want to tell you this, but--I am married."
She rose slowly, her eyes fixed in bewilderment upon his, her hand
clutching at his sleeve.
"You--never told me that! It was some mad college prank, I
suppose."
"No, no. I married Gertrudis Garavel that night at the Tivoli."
"Oh, that can't be. That was the night of the dance."
"It is quite true."
Mrs. Cortlandt stared about the squalid cell dully.
"Miss Garavel! Why didn't you tell me? Why isn't she here? Why
does she leave you alone? No, no! You hardly know each other. Why,
she's not old enough to know her own mind--"
"But I know my mind, and I love her."
Her white hands strained at each other as she steadied her shaking
voice.
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