self. The end of mother's life was made far more unhappy
than it need have been. I should like you to understand all this.'

The listener kept her eyes on the ground.

'Perhaps the girls have hinted it to you?' Jasper added.

'No.'

'Selfishness--that's one of my faults. It isn't a brutal kind of
selfishness; the thought of it often enough troubles me. If I were rich,
I should be a generous and good man; I know I should. So would many
another poor fellow whose worst features come out under hardship. This
isn't a heroic type; of course not. I am a civilised man, that's all.'

Marian could say nothing.

'You wonder why I am so impertinent as to talk about myself like this.
I have gone through a good deal of mental pain these last few weeks,
and somehow I can't help showing you something of my real thoughts. Just
because you are one of the few people I regard with sincere respect.
I don't know you very well, but quite well enough to respect you. My
sisters think of you in the same way. I shall do many a base thing in
life, just to get money and reputation; I tell you this that you mayn't
be surprised if anything of that kind comes to your ears. I can't afford
to live as I should like to.'

She looked up at him with a smile.

'People who are going to live unworthily don't declare it in this way.'

'I oughtn't to; a few minutes ago I had no intention of saying such
things. It means I am rather overstrung, I suppose; but it's all true,
unfortunately.'

He rose, and began to run his eye along the shelves nearest to him.

'Well, now I will go, Miss Yule.'

Marian stood up as he approached.

'It's all very well,' he said, smiling, 'for me to encourage my sisters
in the hope that they may earn a living; but suppose I can't even do it
myself? It's by no means certain that I shall make ends meet this year.'

'You have every reason to hope, I think.'

'I like to hear people say that, but it'll mean savage work. When we
were all at Finden last year, I told the girls that it would be another
twelve months before I could support myself. Now I am forced to do
it. And I don't like work; my nature is lazy. I shall never write for
writing's sake, only to make money. All my plans and efforts will have
money in view--all. I shan't allow anything to come in the way of my
material advancement.'

'I wish you every success,' said Marian, without looking at him, and
without a smile.

'Thank you. But that sounds too much like