"I'd like to know why not," retorted Eliza, who had read between the lines of Phil's letters during the winter; and illustrated her imaginings with looks and actions remembered from the season before. "Think of the pictures you've sold this winter. Look how quick you've begun your success. Has Kathleen many beaux?"
"She has worshippers," returned Phil, with a slight smile; "and several of them come much nearer to her than I can."
"You can if you want to," said Eliza bluntly; "you're a great fool if you don't."
Philip turned and looked at the speaker in surprise. Her words were so exactly opposite to the training he gave himself night and morning.
"'Tain't as if her father was so rich any more. Nobody could say you was after money, and," Eliza's voice lost its hardness, "your—your Aunt Mary left me her ring you remember."
Phil smiled at her openly now, then he went on with his work.
"You're a loyal soul, Eliza, and you always yearn to give me everything I want; but Miss Fabian will be married long before I'm able to ask any woman to trust herself to me."
Eliza gave him a fierce nod and drew down the corners of her mouth.
"I—don't—believe it!" she said, so significantly that Phil flushed and looked at her again.