'Elsie Laurence and Cissy Clive are going?'
'Yes…. Why don't you come too?'
'I wish I could. I can't. I have no money.'
'But I can lend you what you want. I have more than I require. Let me lend you a hundred pounds. Do.'
Ralph smiled through his red moustache, and his grey gentle eyes smiled too, a melancholy little smile that passed quickly.
'It is very kind of you. But it would be impossible for me to borrow money from you. Even if I had the money, I could hardly go with you.'
'Why not, there's a party. Walter is going, and Hopwood Blunt is going. I'm the fifth wheel.'
Ralph was about to say something, but he checked himself; he never spoke ill of any one. So, putting his criticism of her companions aside, he said:
'Only under one condition could I go abroad with you. You know,
Mildred, I love you.'
An expression of pleasure came upon her face, and, seeing it, he threw his arms out to draw her closer. She drew away.