ore Elma replied by asking a
question on her own behalf.

"Can it be right for a man to marry one woman for money, when he has
given his heart to another?"

Mrs Greville tossed her head with another impatient little laugh.

"His heart! Ah, my dear, a man's heart is an adaptable commodity! He
`gives it,' as you say, many times over in the course of his life. He
is far more likely to love a wife whose money brings him ease and
comfort, than one for whose pretty face he has sacrificed his peace!"

Elma turned to her lover and looked deep into his eyes. With a strong
effort he had resisted breaking into the conversation before now, but
his face was more eloquent than words. She smiled at him, a tender
little smile of encouragement.

"I am very economical. I would help Geoffrey to save. I have not been
accustomed to luxuries, so it would cost me nothing to do without them,
and he says he doesn't care. Don't think I am selfish, Mrs Greville,
please! I am thinking of Geoffrey first, but I believe he would be
happier living quietly with me, and looking after the estate himself,
instead of paying an agent to do it, than if he sold himself for money
and ease. We love each other very much. We need nothing more than just
to be together."

Geoffrey turned aside and stared out of the window. The two mothers
exchanged helpless glances.

"Elma!" said Mrs Ramsden, sharply, "have you no pride? It is hard
enough for me to sit by and listen. Are you not ashamed to force
yourself upon a family where you are not wanted? When I have looked
forward to your marriage, I have always imagined that you would be
welcomed with open arms. For your own position you are well dowered. I
have been proud of you all your life--too proud, perhaps--it would be a
bitter blow to me to see you married on sufferance. If you have no
other feeling in the matter, does not your pride come to your aid?"

"Mother, I'm going to marry Geoffrey, not his family! He can take care
of his wife!"

"The child is right!" said Madame, quickly. "Geoffrey's wife, whoever
she may be, will be treated with every respect. It is not the judgment
of others which she need dread, but the judgment of her own heart.
Listen to me, child! You are a sweet thing, and I love you for your
devotion to my boy. As I told you before, I should be in love with you
in his place, but I'm an old woman, and I know the world! Geoffrey is
not used to work and economy; for a