"Suppose I were able to find you the money?"
He smiled a smile of utter incredulity, as if her words were not worth considering.
"Suppose you were able to buy me the earth? Yesterday you told me that you had not enough money to buy yourself a pair of shoes; in fact, you said that your whole worldly wealth was represented by less than five shillings."
Once more she was still--oddly still.
"Herbert!"
The name was rather sighed than spoken. He saw that she was trembling. The appeal was irresistible. Again he put his arms about her and held her fast.
"Little lady, you've troubles enough of your own without worrying yourself about mine. You'll easily find better men than I am who'll be glad enough to worship the ground on which you stand, and then you'll recognize how much you owe me for running away, and leaving you an open field. The best thing that can happen to you is that I should go."
"I don't think so. I--I don't want you to go."
There was a catching in her breath.
"I don't want to go, but--I might find it awkward if I stayed."