“I asked her to marry me a year ago,” he said.

The stars were still swimming before her.

“And––and she said––?”

“She said she thought I ought to wait until I was earning ten thousand.”

“And that’s the reason you––you wanted the ten thousand?”

“Yes. You didn’t think I wanted it for myself, did you?”

“I didn’t know,” she answered.

It was like a load removed from his shoulders. He breathed freer.

“You’re the most sensible woman I ever met, and I thought you could help me.”

She hated that word sensible now, though when Mr. Seagraves had used it to her it had seemed like a compliment.