"I have never given you any reason to suppose that I regarded you with favor."
"You have always seemed glad to see me, but perhaps that was only coquetry," said Orton, in a disagreeable manner.
"I certainly have never treated you with more than ordinary politeness, except, indeed, as my residence in your father's house has necessarily brought us nearer together."
"I don't think, Miss Douglas, you would find me a bad match," said the young man, condescending to drop his sneering tone and plead his cause. "I am already worth a good sum of money. I am my father's partner, and I shall become richer every year."
"It is not a matter of money with me, Mr. Campbell. When I marry, that will be a minor consideration."
"Of course, because you have a fortune of your own."
"Yes," said Florence, regarding him significantly, for she suspected that it was rather her fortune than herself that he desired, being no stranger to his love of money.
Perhaps he understood her, for he continued: "Of course I don't care for that, you know. I should offer myself to you if you had nothing."
This Florence Douglas thoroughly disbelieved. She answered coldly, "I thank you for the compliment you pay me, but I beg you to drop the subject."
"I will wait."