C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson

“ I don't know what kept me from killing myself, except that I've always despised suicide as a coward's way out of trouble. I chucked the army—had to make a change somehow—and went to California, where an old pal of mine had often wanted me to join him. I knew that Brandreth was stationed down South somewhere, so in California I should be as far from him and Rosemary as if I stopped in England. Well, now you know the story, for I never saw Rosemary or even heard of her from that time till the other day on board this ship. ”

“ I believe her, Lady Courtenaye, and I think you would believe, if you could have looked into her eyes then, No, there's another reason, not obvious like the first; on the contrary, it's obscure. I wish you'd try to get light on it.”
“I'll try, if you want me to,” I promised. “But I don't expect to succeed.” ”

“ Yes. Her aunt felt responsible, and took the girl away to help her forget. Rosemary told me this, but thought she had 'got over it,' and said she would marry me, if I wanted her. Of course I did want her. I believed—most men would!—that I could teach her to love me. She was so young, and even then I wasn't poor. I could give her a good time! The poor child was keen on letting Brandreth know she wasn't mourning his loss, and she'd heard he was still in London with his fiancée and her millionaire papa. ”