Married
in Pernambuco! Ah, if only that were possible! Yet she did not flinch
from the lover-like scrutiny with which Philip now favored her.
"I am sure we would be happy together," she said, with a pathetic
confidence that tempted him strongly to take her in his arms and kiss
away her fears. "But we must be brave, Philip dear, brave in the
peaceful hours as in those which call for another sort of courage.
Last night we lived in a different world. We looked at death, you and
I together, not once but many times, and you, at least, kept him at
bay. But that is past. To-day we are going back to the commonplace.
We must forget what happened in the land of dreams. I will never love
any man but you, Philip; yet--I cannot marry you."
"You will marry me--in Pernambuco."
"I will not because I may not. Oh, spare me any more of this! I
cannot bear it. Have pity, dear!"
"Iris, let us at least look at the position calmly. Do you really
think that fate's own decree should be set aside merely to keep David
Verity out of the Bankruptcy Court?"
"I have given my promise, and those two men are certain I will keep it."
"Ah, they shall release you. What then?"
"You do not know my uncle, or Mr. Bulmer. Money is their god. They
would tell you that money can control fate.
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