"Of course he has. Why not?"

"Well, you see," replied Miss Gibson, "I have some six hundred a year of
my own and should not be considered a bad match for a young man like
Walter, who has neither property nor expectations, and one naturally
takes that into account. But still, as I have said, I believe he is
quite sincere in his professions and not merely attracted by my money."

"I do not find your opinion at all incredible," said Thorndyke, with a
smile, "even if Mr. Walter were quite a mercenary young man--which, I
take it, he is not."

Miss Gibson flushed very prettily as she replied--

"Oh, pray do not trouble to pay me compliments; I assure you I am by no
means insensible of my merits. But with regard to Walter Hornby, I
should be sorry to apply the term 'mercenary' to him, and yet--well, I
have never met a young man who showed a stronger appreciation of the
value of money. He means to succeed in life and I have no doubt he
will."

"And do I understand that you refused him?"

"Yes. My feelings towards him are quite friendly, but not of such a
nature as to allow me to contemplate marrying him."

"And now, to return for a moment to Mr. Reuben. You have known him for
some years?"

"I have known him intimately for six years," replied Miss Gibson.