had been differently
constituted the sacrifice would have entailed suffering, even if it had
not proved too great for me. It was a lot of money, and if money is in
any sense a man's god it must hurt him to lose so much. My god may be
equally base, but it is not golden. In that respect I am like those
ancient Athenians of whom Plato speaks, who 'bare lightly the burden of
gold and of possessions,' though I fear I am not like them in despising
all things except virtue. Besides, even now I am not exactly poor, for
I have a good income."

"I have thirty shillings a week on the average," I interposed, "and I
consider myself quite well to do."

"Exactly," he replied; "you and I take pleasure in our work for its own
sake, and we are each paid, I suppose, fair value for what we do.
Having food and clothing and a roof to shelter us we have all that is
necessary, but we have luxuries thrown in--true friendships, for
instance, which money cannot purchase. In my own case I am hoping to
be quite wealthy if things turn out as I am beginning to dare to
expect."

"I am glad to hear it," I said; "I am sure you deserve to succeed, and
I trust you will be very happy in the possession of wealth when your
expectation is realised."

He laughed, but with some constraint, I thought, and then said:

"We shall have to go in presently, Miss Holden, and before we do so,
and whilst we are not likely to be interrupted, I have something to say
to you which I find it difficult to mention."

I believe the colour left my face, and I know my stupid heart lost
control of its beats again. His voice was so grave that I felt sure he
had some communication to make which I should not relish, though I
could not guess at its nature. I controlled myself with an effort, and
encouraged him to proceed with an inquiring "Oh?"

He looked down at his boots for a moment and then continued:

"If it had not been for this I should not have come here this week-end,
but I wanted to tell you what I have done, and to give you a message
from one in whom you are interested. I have hesitated because I fear
it may give you pain, though in one way it does not concern you in the
slightest degree."

Why anything should give me pain which did not concern me was puzzling,
and I wished the man would get to the story and skip the introduction.
I never could bear to have news "broken gently" to me, it always seems
like a mere prolongation of the agony; but I did not da