"Oh, not to-night! do not speak of this to-night," she cried. "I am very weary."
"I must speak when I can. I am appealing to you, do not you see? You are the only person I would say this to. I speak very awkwardly. I am not worth——"
"Oh, Marius!" again weakly she tried to stop him.
His speech became almost incoherent; she caught only the burden of it, "Do you not understand?"
"Some day, if I tried with this before me, I might be in an honourable position; you cared a little to write to me, did you not? It might be all honest and worth while, and splendid, Susannah."
She rose, shuddering.
"I fear you have mistaken me, Marius. I—I can be no help to you."
He gripped the top of the settee.
"Do you mean that?" he leant towards her. "I speak like a fool, I know; but I am trying to tell you."