ype loves her husband because she sees through him,
yet believes in him and sympathises with his aims, and intends to make a
success of him. And she usually does."

"And which am I?" inquired Dolly.

"The latter, undoubtedly--the higher type. And therefore, if there had
been nothing else in the way, I think I should have given myself the
benefit of the doubt. But----"

"He turned and looked at me here," writes Dolly, and said--

"'But your feminine instinct is chafing against all this laborious
weighing of pros and cons. In your own mind you summed up the
situation ten minutes ago. I am--"impossible." Isn't that it?'

"My _dear_, I nearly _screamed_, for of course that is just what was
in my mind. But I couldn't very well say so, so I just sat there and
looked rather idiotic and he went on--

"'In other words, I am not quite a gentleman.'

"Then I said quite suddenly--

"'Robin, whatever else you may be, you _are_ a gentleman.'

"He got quite pink. 'Thank you,' he said. 'But for all that, I am too
rough a suitor for such a polished little aristocrat as yourself.'
(Rather cheek, that! After all, Dilly, we're five feet seven.) 'We
live in an artificial sort of world; and a man, in order not to jar on
those around him, requires certain social accomplishments. I have
few--at present. You have taught me a great deal, but I should still
rather discredit you as a husband. My want of polish would 'affront'
you, as we say in Scotland. I am a better beater than shot; I can
break a horse better than I can ride it; and I dance a reel better
than I waltz. I have strength, but no grace; ability, but no
distinction. Of course, if you and I really loved each other--you
being of Type Two--none of these things would matter. But for all
that, it would hurt you to see people smiling at your husband's little
_gaucheries_, wouldn't it?'

"I didn't answer, and he got up and went and leaned against the
mantelpiece.

"'Listen,' he said, 'and I will tell you what I have decided to do. I
have made up my mind not to have a try for you--badly though I want
it--till I consider that I have reached your standard. I fixed that
standard myself, so it is a very, very high one, I have been schooling
myself and shaping myself to attain it ever since I met you. But I
have not quite reached it yet, and therefore I have nothing to ask of
you now.'"

"Then what on earth have you b