"It is no compliment when such an offer is based so cold-bloodedly upon
business advantage. You come down here to get a wife, which you have
decided in your counting-room will increase your assets. The first girl
you select doesn't fit into your plans, as you had expected, so you look
me over critically, tell me it doesn't take you long to make up your
mind, and offer me a partnership.--All that remains, I suppose, is for
us to discuss office hours and the division of the profits! My word! You
are the most mercenary human creature I ever met!"

Edith was splendid in her anger, but Cosden refused to take her
seriously.

"Come," he insisted; "you are far too sensible to look at it that way.
Why, every one in the hotel is asking if we are engaged. What shall I
tell them?"

"Tell them you proposed to me and that I refused you," she retorted
defiantly, turning from him and disappearing through the open door.

* * * * *

XIX

* * * * *

"Well Marian, my play-time is over for the present," Thatcher remarked
as he folded a cable he had just received and placed it in his pocket.
"They need me at the office, so I'll sail on Monday. There's no reason
for you to leave until later unless you wish to."

She looked up at him with an expression of such real disappointment that
he felt the unspoken reproach.

"We have stayed a month longer than we intended, as it is," he
explained, "and my going need not hasten your plans at all."

"I don't want you to return alone, Harry, and I loathe the thought of
turning my back on this enchanting spot. Truly, each day makes it more
difficult to leave it."

"Then if you don't go at once the problem may become serious," he
laughed.

"You are so different down here, Harry, I hate to give you up to
business again. That is a wife's real rival; I'm jealous of it."

"A rival which has made our pleasures possible, so you should be
friends. Only a few years more of it, little woman, and then you may
plan my days as well as yours. Then we'll have one long play-time
together."

"You've been saying that for five years," she protested petulantly; "but
we seem to come no nearer. Haven't we enough to do that now?"

"Who shall say what 'enough' really is?" he smiled, taking her hand in
his and looking with affection into her deep eyes. "That isn't what
holds me; it takes time to work out of the old interests without serious