Mrs. Darche started a little at the words. As has been said, she was really quite in ignorance of what was taking place and had no idea that her husband could be in need of what in comparison with the means of the Company seemed but a small sum in cash.
"Do you need money, John?" she asked, looking at him anxiously.
"Oh no, I was only putting an imaginary case."
"I wish it were not merely imaginary—"
"Do you?" he asked, interrupting her quickly. "That is kind."
Marion seemed about to lose her temper at last, though she meant to control herself.
"John!" she exclaimed, in a tone of reproach, "why will you so misunderstand me?"
"It is you who misunderstand everything."
"I mean it quite seriously," she answered. "You know if you were really in trouble for a sum like that, I could help you. Not that you ever could be. I was only thinking—wishing that in some way or other I might be of use. If I could help you in anything, no matter how insignificant, it would bring us together."
John smiled incredulously.