great financier. I say this because I know there are better
things in you, and because I want you to make the most of your
talents. I am anxious to see you put your powers to something
worth while.''

Miss Langham's voice carried with it such a tone of sincerity
that she almost succeeded in deceiving herself. And yet she
would have hardly cared to explain just why she had reproached
the man before her after this fashion. For she knew that when
she spoke as she had done, she was beating about to find some
reason that would justify her in not caring for him, as she knew
she could care--as she would not allow herself to care. The man
at her side had won her interest from the first, and later had
occupied her thoughts so entirely, that it troubled her peace of
mind. Yet she would not let her feeling for him wax and grow
stronger, but kept it down. And she was trying now to persuade
herself that she did this because there was something lacking in
him and not in her.

She was almost angry with him for being so much to her and for
not being more acceptable in little things, like the other men
she knew. So she found this fault with him in order that she
might justify her own lack of feeling.

But Clay, who only heard the words and could not go back of
them to find the motive, could not know this. He sat perfectly
still when she had finished and looked steadily out across the
harbor. His eyes fell on the ugly ore-pier, and he winced and
uttered a short grim laugh.