"Why can't we marry at once?" asked Lucy, seeing that her lover
held his peace and looked confused.

Hope did not reply directly. "I had better release you from your
engagement," he said haltingly.

"Oh!" Lucy's nostrils dilated and she threw back her head
scornfully. "And the other woman's name?"

"There is no other woman. I love you and you only. But--
money."

"What about money? You have your income!"

"Oh yes--that is sure, small as it is. But I have incurred
debts on behalf of an uncle and his family. These have
embarrassed me for the moment, and so I cannot see my way to
marrying you for at least six months, Lucy." He caught her hand.
"I feel ashamed of myself that I did not tell you of this before.
But I feared to lose you. Yet, on reflection, I see that it is
dishonorable to keep you in the dark, and if you think that I
have behaved badly--"

"Well, I do in a way," she interrupted quickly, "as your silence
was quite unnecessary. Don't treat me as a doll, my dear. I
wish to share your troubles as well as your joys. Come, tell me
all about it."

"You are not angry?"