"
"I made no comparison," the girl cried defiantly. "There was no
question of comparison."
She said it shamelessly, and it hurt Meredith more than it hurt Guy
Oscard, for whom the sting was intended.
"Comparison or no comparison," said Jack Meredith quickly, with the
keenness of a good fencer who has been touched, "there can be no
doubt of the fact that you were engaged to us both at the same time.
You told us both to go out and make a fortune wherewith to buy--your
affections. One can only presume that the highest bidder--the owner
of the largest fortune--was to be the happy man. Unfortunately we
became partners, and--such was the power of your fascination--we
made the fortune; but we share and share alike in that. We are
equal, so far as the--price is concerned. The situation is
interesting and rather--amusing. It is your turn to move. We await
your further instructions in considerable suspense."
She stared at him with bloodless lips. She did not seem to
understand what he was saying. At last she spoke, ignoring Guy
Oscard's presence altogether.
"Considering that we are to be married to-morrow, I do not think
that you should speak to me like that," she said with a strange,
concentrated eagerness.
"Pardon me, we are not going to be married to-morrow.
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