Edward Marston

Soldier of Fortune

'That's absurd,' said Dorothy Piper with a brittle laugh. 'You've not even known him for a week.'

'Had I known him but a single day,' retorted her sister, 'it would have been enough. 'I'm in love, Dorothy.'

'You don't even know the meaning of the word.'

'I do now. Since I met Captain Rawson, I've suddenly been filled with wonderful thoughts and thrilling new sensations. He's the best man in the world and I want you to be happy for me.'

Dorothy was blunt. 'Don't be ridiculous, Abigail. This is nothing but a passing infatuation. In a month's time, you'll have forgotten that Daniel Rawson ever existed.'

'I'll never forget him!' attested Abigail, stamping a foot. 'I love him and I want to share the rest of my life with him.'

'There's no earthly hope of that happening.'

'Yes, there is.'

'He's a soldier, you fool. He'll be abroad most of the time.'

'I'd follow him wherever he goes,' said her sister. 'Not that he's going anywhere at the moment. He's here in London and he's mine. And you've no call to rule out someone in the army. It was only last year that you became involved with Lieutenant-Colonel Masters. There was no talk then of a soldier being an inappropriate choice.'

'That was different.'

Abigail sighed. 'It always is.'

'My private life is my own,' said Dorothy reproachfully, 'and I'll thank you not to interfere in it.'

'You always insist in interfering in my private life.'

'It's my duty as an elder sister to protect you, Abigail. I'm trying to stop you from being badly hurt. Don't you see that?'