He had no ground for imagining that Agatha would be willing to marry him; but if she were, it would look as if he meant to share her riches when he offered his help. In fact, it would look as if he meant to take advantage of her ignorance about mining matters and her trust. It would not disturb him if outsiders thought this, but she might come to think so.
Besides, he was not going to be supported by his wife's money. In view of their characters, the situation would be humiliating for both. Agatha might learn to despise him, which would be intolerable.
Then he felt a touch on his shoulder and got up with a start. Agatha stood close by and he thought there was more color in her face than usual, although her eyes were calm.
"Brooding over our good luck?" she said with a smile. "Isn't that a curious attitude?"
"The good luck is yours."
"If you insist on the difference, but I don't know that it's kind! Besides, I wanted to give you half my frontage on the vein."
"That's quite impossible," said Thirlwell firmly.
"Why is it impossible?"
"It would look as if I'd meant to take advantage of your generosity."
"Does it matter how the thing would look?"