"I had much rather not."
"Does that mean that you won't?"
"I fear, Sir Henry, that it must mean it. I have not been on terms with my grandfather which would admit of my doing so."
"Nonsense!" said her lord and master.
"You are not very civil to me this morning."
"How can a man be civil when he hears such trash as that? You know how I am situated—how great the stake is; and you will do nothing to help me win it." To this she made no answer. Of what use would it be for her to answer? She also had thrown away her pearl, and taken in exchange this piece of brass. There was nothing for her, too, but to bear her misery.
"Upon my word, you take it all very coolly," he continued; "you seem to think that houses, and furniture, and carriages, and horses are to grow up all round you without any effort on your own part. Does it ever strike you that these things cost money?"
"I will give them all up to-morrow if you wish it."
"That you know is nonsense."
"It was your doing to surround me with these things, and your reproach is not just. Nay, it is not manly."