educated, all things considered: very fond of reading; knows as much
of books as I do--more, I daresay. First-rate intelligence; I
guessed that from the first. I can see the drawbacks, of course. As
I said, she isn't what _you_ would call a lady; but there's nothing
much to find fault with even in her manners. And the long and the
short of it is, I'm in love with her."

"And she has promised to marry you?"

"Well, not in so many words. She seems to have scruples--
difference of position, and that kind of thing."

"Very reasonable scruples, no doubt."

"Quite right that she should think of it in that way, at all events.
But I believe it was practically settled yesterday. She isn't in
very brilliant health, poor girl! I want to get her away from that
beastly place as soon as possible. I shall give myself a longish
holiday, and take her on to the Continent. A thorough change of that
kind would set her up wonderfully.

"She has never been on to the Continent?"

"What a preposterous question! You're going to sleep, sitting here
in the dark. Oh, don't trouble to light up for me; I can't stay much
longer."

Hilliard had risen, but instead of lighting the lamp he turned to
the window and stood there drumming with his fingers on a pane.