"Possibly not," said Eleanor, coldly. "But poverty is no disgrace."
"He came to Mr. Kelvin, who had known him years before, and Kelvin lent him fifty pounds."
"Friends should always help each other. But how came you to know all this?"
"Through the conversation that I overheard between Miss Deane and Mr. Pomeroy.
"Really," said Eleanor, as she rose, "I fail to see in what way these details concern me. I must wish you good morning, Mr. Piper, and----"
"One moment, if you please," said Pod, earnestly. "You don't know why Mr. Pomeroy was male secretary to Sir Thomas, do you?"
"That is a point about which I have never troubled myself to think: it does not concern me."
"He was sent to Stammars that he might have a chance of marrying an heiress."
"Ah!"
"And that heiress was to be you, miss."