le
error, that ladies only require amusement."

He shook his head.

"You do me injustice," he said; "no man has so high an opinion of your
sex, madam, as I have."

"I doubt it--you deceive yourself."

"Excuse me, but I do not."

"You are one of the lords of creation," said Philippa satirically.

"A very poor lord," he replied calmly.

"Are you poor?" asked Philippa as coolly.

"Yes, madam."

"But you design being rich some day?"

"Yes, madam, if my brain serves me."

"You aspire perhaps to his Majesty's council?"

"No, madam," he replied, with perfect coolness; "were I in public
life, I should most probably be in the opposition."

"A better opening."

"No; but better for one who holds my opinions--better for the
conscience."

"And for the purse?"

"I know not. If you mean that public life holds out pecuniary rewards,
I think you are mistaken."

"Then you will not become rich by politics?"

"I think, madam, that there is little chance of that."

"Still you would wish to be wealthy?"

"Yes, madam."

"You are fond of luxury?"

"Yes, madam."

"Horses, wines, carriages?"

"Excuse me--no."

"What then?"

"The luxury of seeing my orphan sister surrounded with every comfort."

A flush passed over Philippa's face, and she turned away; but she was
not satisfied.

"There is a very plain and easy way to arrive at wealth, sir," she
said; "law is so slow."

"Please indicate it."

"Marry an heiress."

There was a silence after these words; and Philippa could scarcely
sustain the clear fixed look which he bent upon her face.

"Is that your advice, madam?" he said coldly. "I thank you for it."

His tone piqued her.

"Then follow it," she said.

"Excuse me again."

"Is it not friendly?"

"Possibly, but not to my taste."

"Why, sir?"

"First, because the course you suggest is not very honorable;
secondly, and in another aspect, it is very disgraceful; again, it is
too expensive, if I may be permitted to utter what seems to be, but is
not, a very rude and cynical speech."

"Not honorable--disgraceful--too expensive! Indeed! Why, sir, you at
once exclude heiresses from matrimony."

"Not so, madam."

"Not honorable!"

"I think it is not honorable to acquire wealth, for the best purpose
in the world, by giving the hand and not the heart."

"The hand and the heart!--who speaks of heart in these days? But you
say it is even disgraceful to marry an heiress."

"Not at all; but if