Page:Elizabeth's Pretenders.djvu/244

Rh all. What should I resign my independence for, if not for love? For rank? For ambition? Poor little common sense tells me it isn't worth it."

"And common sense will be bowled over the first time jou meet a man who attracts yon—however worthless! It is always so—always!" he snapped out.

She looked very grave; she could not speak for a moment. Then she said slowly—

"I am not infallible. I have made mistakes. I may make them again. But it will not be with my eyes open."

"And you would think it 'a mistake. he replied, with more than his usual vehemence, "to marry a man who is attached to you, because—though he may have brains—he has none of the insinuating charm that wins women; because, in short, he has nothing but his heart and an honourable name to offer you?"

"It would be a mistake to marry if I did not love him —or at least think that I loved him. And there is something more than this. Shall I make a confession to you? If I ever marry, I believe it will be some one who does not know that I have any money."

He looked shocked. What a very odd girl this was! How could one answer such a speech as that? But it was final. If these were Miss Shaw's real sentiments, there was nothing further to be said or done. The awkward pause that followed was broken by Elizabeth's saying—

"You have kept my counsel, since you have been here, Lord Robert?"

"Most faithfully."