ive you a month to think of it, Eleanor;--a month? what's
to-day?--the tenth? Then I give you till the first of next month. You
can think of it and make up your mind to give yourself to Mr. Carlisle
by that time; or you shall be no daughter of mine. St. George and the
Dragon! I have said it, and you will find I mean it. Now go away."

Eleanor went, wondering whether her ears had served her right; so
unnaturally strange seemed this turn of affairs. She had had no time to
think of it yet, when passing the drawing-room door a certain impulse
prompted her to go in. Mr. Carlisle was there, as something had told
her he might be. Eleanor came in, looking white, and advanced towards
him with a free steady step eyeing him fully. She was in a mood to meet
anything.

"Mr. Carlisle," she said, "you are the cause of all the trouble that
has come upon me."

He did not ask her what trouble. He only gently and gravely disclaimed
the truth of her assertion.

"Mr. Carlisle," said Eleanor facing him, "do you want the hand without
the heart?" There was brave beauty in her face and air.

"Yes!" he said. "You do not know yourself, Eleanor--you do not see
yourself at this moment--or you would know better how impossible it is
to give other than one answer to such a question."

His look had faced hers as frankly; there was no evil expression in it.
Eleanor's head and her gaze sank a little. She hesitated, and then
turned away. But Mr. Carlisle with a quick motion intercepted her.

"Eleanor, have you nothing kind to say to me?" he asked, taking her
hand. And he said it well.

"Not just now," said Eleanor slowly; "but I will try not to think
unkindly of you, Mr. Carlisle."

Perhaps he understood that differently from her meaning; perhaps he
chose to misinterpret it; at all events he stooped forward and kissed
her. It brought a flash of colour into Eleanor's face, and she went up
stairs much more angry with her suitor than her last words had spoke
her. The angry mood faded fast when she reached her own room and could
be alone and be still. She sat down and thought how, while he stood
there and held her hand, there had been a swift presentation to her
mind, swift and clear, of all she would be giving up when she turned
away from him. In one instant the whole view had come; the rank, the
ease, the worldly luxury, the affection; and the question came too,
waywardly, as impertinent questions will come, whether she was after
all giving it up