"No," said Joad, after a pause; "I do not care particularly for money. As long as I have a roof, a crust, and my books, I am satisfied. My wants are simple. But why," he continued, looking at her in a puzzled way, "why do you make such a remark?"
"Because you refuse to pocket fifty thousand pounds."
"You allude to the reward. My dear lady, I cannot gain that."
"I am not so sure of your inability to do so," said Dora coolly. "With your knowledge of Mr. Edermont's past life, you must know who it was he feared. If you know the name of that person, you know who killed him. With that knowledge, why not apply for the fifty thousand pounds?"
"I am not so omniscient as you think, Miss Carew. But we will suppose, for the sake of argument, that I have such knowledge: what would it benefit me to gain this fortune?"
"You could do good with it."
"Could I gain your love?"
Dora turned away with a flushed face, feeling the delicacy of the position.
"You must not talk to me like that, Mr. Joad," she said with great dignity.
"Why not? I love you."