"But why," she asked after a thoughtful interval, "why is marriage necessary? There is no question of your half, that I promise you."
"My dear," he said with deprecatory candor, "I am too old to change my skin. I know I can trust you, now. Yet, to save my life, I couldn't help doubting it. It's second nature, you know. Seeing is believing, and holding is better. I'm made to risk nothing, to act as though I suspected everything. It ain't personal, Sheila—I can't help it."
She bit her lip and, driven to desperation, said angrily:
"But I don't want to marry you!"
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not in love with you."
"Were you with Fargus?" he said quietly. "It was a question of interest, wasn't it? Well, marry me and it'll be to your interest too. Such a man as I am, knowing the secret ways and who ain't squeamish, only needs capital. Knowledge without capital is what makes the shyster."
"However, you leave me free to choose?" she said.