"That I don't like?" she faltered.

"Yes," he answered encouragingly. Where in your judgment do I fall short as—as a future husband?"

"Why—why, I don't know you, Mr. Forbes."

"Wade, please," he said gently.

"I shan't!" she cried with crimsoning face.

"Well—we'll waive that for the moment. Is that all? It's only that you don't know me?"

"Of course that isn't all! I don't—care for you."

"You mean you don't love me?" She nodded.

"Do you think you could, Prue?"

"You've no right to ask such a question," she replied indignantly.

"Yes, I have a right to ask it. And you have a right to refuse to answer it," he said utroubledly.

"Then I use my right," she said a little hysterically.