t you to
know the reason if I don't enter into your plans so heartily as you
expect."

"But, Arthur dear, it seemed--it struck me that `other people' seemed to
find it a temptation too! Surely if you both--"

"Then I must think for both, and be the more careful. The hardest
temptation of all, Peg, is one that seems just within grasp, but of
which conscience says one should not take advantage. Think what this
means! I have a hundred or two a year from the dear old godfather, and
a few more for my salary--in all about as much as a fashionable lady
would spend on clothes and jewellery. Even with what my father and--
hers might be willing to add, it would mean comparative poverty for
years to come, and some people are not made for poverty, and could not
be happy under such conditions."

"There are things which are worth more than money!"

"To you and me, yes, Peg, a thousand times, but not to every one! The
bent of a lifetime does not easily alter. One may think it does under
the stress of strong feeling, but it is a very difficult matter when it
comes to living a restricted life day after day, month after month, and
to giving up the luxuries and pleasures to which one has been
accustomed. It is better to face a definite sorrow, than life-long
regret and repining." Arthur's face hardened into a determination which
had in it a sadness which Peggy was quick to understand. The bitterest
drop in the poor fellow's cup was the consciousness that the girl whom
he loved was neither strong nor unselfish enough to value happiness
before worldly prosperity, and his sister's heart grew hot with
indignation at the thought that any one dared to think herself too good
for Arthur Saville!

"I hope and pray, Arthur, that when the time comes for you to marry,
your wife will realise that she is a most blessedly fortunate woman, and
not harbour any delusions about making a martyr of herself! You are
perfectly right in wishing to keep out of the way under the
circumstances, and I will do the same. I never wish to see `other
people' again, or to speak to her, or to have anything whatever to do
with her."

"If you want to please me, you will see as much of her as you can, for
you can help the poor girl more than any one else. She is fond of you,
and knows that you return her affection."

"I don't! I won't! How can I be fond of her when she makes you
unhappy? If you are not grand enough for her, then neither am I; but I
h