"What do you mean by a fair offer?"
"I mean, would you entertain a proposal in your present line of business with increased remuneration?"
The young man sat silent for a few moments and did not look at his companion. When he spoke there was a shade of resentment in his voice.
"I thought you saw, Miss Linderham, that I was not very proud of my present occupation."
"No, but, as you said, a man will do anything for money."
"I beg your pardon for again contradicting you, but I never said anything of the sort."
"I thought you did, when you were speaking of the crossing-sweeping; but never mind, I know a lady who has plenty of money; she is an artist; at least, she thinks she is one, and wishes to devote her life to art. She is continually pestered by offers of marriage, and she knows these offers come to her largely because of her money. Now, this lady wishes to marry a man, and will settle upon him two thousand pounds a year. Would you be willing to accept that offer if I got you an introduction?"
"It would depend very much on the lady," said Stansford.
"Oh no, it wouldn't; for you would have nothing whatever to do with her, except that you would be her hired husband. She wants to devote herself to painting, not to you—don't you understand? and so long as you did not trouble her, you could enjoy your two thousand pounds a year. You, perhaps, might have to appear at some of the receptions she would give, and I have no doubt she would add five guineas an evening for your presence. That would be an extra, you know."
There was a long silence between them after Maggie Linderham ceased speaking. The young man kicked the gravel with his toes, and his eyes were bent upon the path before him. "He is thinking it over," said Miss Linderham to herself. At last Lord Stansford looked up, with a sigh.