would condescend to marry me if I asked them, but it is my
misfortune to care only for one woman. I can't transfer my
affection, as a man transfers his capital from one form of
investment to another."

'We walked on for some time in silence. I was determined not to be
angry with him, however ungraciously he might speak to me; and when
we were drawing near home, I begged that we might remain friends
still, and that this unfortunate conversation might make no
difference between us. I told him I knew how much my father valued
him, and that it would distress me deeply if he deserted Thornleigh
on my account.

"Friends!" he replied, in an absent tone; "yes, we are still friends
of course, and I shall not desert Thornleigh."

'He seemed gayer than usual that evening after dinner. Whether the
gaiety was assumed in order to hide his depression, or whether he
was really able to take the matter lightly, I cannot tell. Of course
I cannot shut out of my mind the consideration that a marriage with
me would be a matter of great worldly advantage to Julian, who has
nothing but the salary he receives from my father, and who by such a
marriage would most likely secure immediate possession of the
business, in which he is already a kind of deputy principal.

'I noticed that my stepmother was especially kind to Julian this
evening, and that she and he sat apart in one of the windows for
some time talking to each other in a low confidential tone, while my
father took his after-dinner nap. I wonder whether he told her of
our interview that afternoon?