“Will you?” he said, rather frightened. “’Pon my honor, I hope you won’t, now.”

“And I shall expect you to consult me about your wardrobe.”

“What! about my trousers and coats? Really, that’s very amusing, ’pon my honor it is.”

“Don’t you think I feel an interest in how my dear Gregory is dressed?”

“I don’t know, I’m sure.”

“But I do, and shall I tell you why?”

“If you want to.”

“Because I love you,” she said, softly, and she rose from her chair, and crossing, laid her hand affectionately on his shoulder.

He shrank, just the least in the world, and felt [annoyed] but didn’t like to say so. She might be angry,

and though he did not love her, he did want to marry her, and so escape from his money troubles.