"Vi, you don't understand, this time you really don't. I'm done. I went to my brother as a last resource--you may be pretty sure it was a last resource--for the money which was the only thing that could save me. I am quite serious. He told me he would not give me so much as a sovereign; he even refused me a night's lodging. That means, as I tell you, that I'm done. I don't know quite what will happen to me, but something not pretty. When you and I meet again it is quite possible it will not be as equals; I shall be in a class of which you do not take social cognisance."
Again the young lady shook her head; if again it was with an attempt at gaiety, there was something which looked very much like tears in her eyes.
"What a cropper you must have come; it makes my blood run cold to hear you talking. Have you been robbing a bank?"
"I might as well have done. I'm likely to be in as awkward a position as if I had."
The girl looked at him steadily; his eyes met hers. Each might have been looking into the other's soul.
"Sydney, do you still love me?"
"Wouldn't it be better for you if I were to tell you straight out that I don't? Think, wouldn't it?"
"No, it wouldn't; it would be much worse. It would be a cowardly thing to say, and also, I happen to know, an untrue one. I know that you do still love me. I only asked you for the sake of hearing your answer. You do."
"It has become a habit."
"And habits are not things which are easily rooted up."