"What an absurd question; of course not! There isn't a soul in this country, who's in the secret—except Mrs. Hicks."
"I say," he exclaimed, "we are a fine couple of impostors! You may be amused to hear, that my uncle has taken an immense fancy to you."
"How nice of him."
"And between ourselves, he thinks you would be an ideal niece-in-law. The Maynes are poor, the place swallows up money, and the reigning proprietor is obliged to get hold of a consort with coin."
A thought instantly darted into Nancy's mind; here was her opportunity! and as if in obedience to some irresistible force, she rose, with a hammering heart,—looking, did she but know it, enchantingly pretty.—A little pale perhaps, but stirred by some inward emotion, her lovely face was unusually expressive. One or two rose leaves had fallen on her uncovered hair, and the light between the branches overhead, sent the shadows of leaves, to dance gaily upon her white skirt.
"A wife with coin," repeated Nancy, speaking with a desperate effort, and fixing her eyes upon the ground, "well! you did that yourself."
"Quite unintentionally, I assure you," was the emphatic reply; "the girl I married, was as poor as a church mouse! Nothing would tempt me to marry for money."
"I suppose," began Nancy—and she hesitated.
"You suppose what?" he asked sharply.
"That if ... if ..." she stammered—for the tone of his voice had been discouraging, and made her, if possible—more nervous. "If you could forgive me,—do you think.... Oh, how can I put it?..." and her voice shook, "that I could tempt you? Oh no, I don't mean that,—only I don't want all that money; no one knows better than you do, that I never was accustomed to riches, and—and I should be only too thankful, to give it to you."