ge of
regarding herself as his. Money! She would have been contented to
live on potato-parings could he have been contented to live with her
on potatoes.

She had over and over again questioned herself as to her love, and
reminded herself that as yet he had said nothing to her to justify
it: but as often she had answered herself that with him she could
have no doubt. It was impossible that he should so look into her eyes
and so speak to her if he did not love her. And so she had resolved
to risk all her happiness upon her conviction of his faithfulness.
She had so risked it all; and now he came to her, telling her coldly
that he could not afford to marry.

He, to tell her of his happy dreams and his waking reality! he who
had not the courage to realize the bliss of his dreams when that
bliss was within his reach! He, to talk of sympathy, of a woman
thinking with him exactly as he thought! he who was so timid of the
world that he feared to love less perchance his supplies of bread and
meat should fail him! What could heart wounds signify to him, or hurt
feelings? Had he not his arms sound and his head clear? If, having
them, he would not venture for his love's sake to meet the world and
its burdens, he could hardly have heart enough to know what love
really meant.

Flinging herself on her sofa with outstretched arms, thus Adela made
her moan; not in these words, for she spake none: but such were the
thoughts which ran through her mind as she bewailed all that she had
risked and all that she had lost.

"What would I not have done for him!" she suddenly exclaimed aloud,
as, rising from the sofa, she stood erect upon the ground, pressing
her hand upon her heart. "Fool that I have been--fool, fool, fool!"

And then, with her hand still close to her side, she walked up and
down the room with quick step.

And she had been a fool according to the world's wisdom. Of what
use had been Aunt Penelope's teaching, strictly enacting as it did
all the nice proprieties of young-lady life, seeing that it had not
sufficed to guard her heart against the first comer? Unasked she had
given it all away, had poured it out to the last drop of its warm
flood; and now she was told that it was not wanted, that the article
was one not exactly in the gentleman's walk of life! She might well
call herself a fool:--but what was she to call him?

"It is quite impossible, you know, that I should ever marry!" Why had
he not asked her whether or