"Oh, no, you overdo that line," he said slowly. "I told you I would come back—some day or other. Yet now you take up this high and mighty tone—as though I had given you the right to cut me adrift altogether."
"Ah! I understand. You thought you'd have your three thousand to spend, and my three thousand to fall back upon. Then again I refuse the offer."
"Don't be hasty—and don't impute bad motives where none exist. No, you have struck me all of a heap by what you demand. I wasn't prepared for it—and it wants a bit of thought, before I can say yes or no."
And he began to bargain about the deed of separation. He had seen an unexpected chance, and he meant to make the most of it.
"Let's be business-like, Jane. If I renounce all claims on you forever—if I agree to make a formal renunciation,—well, surely that's worth something to you?"
"Do you mean, worth money? Are you asking me to pay you?"
"I want to start a new life out there—and I shall need all the money I can get. You told me so, yourself—three thou. is devilish little to face the world on."
"Yes," she said quietly, "and with another person dependent on you."
"What do you say?"