'That is exactly what I am determined to let you know. You are, or will
be, a rich man, and you have everything the world can give you. I am,
or shall be, a very poor woman.'

'Is that a reason why I should not be interested in your welfare?'

'Yes the best reason in the world. We are not related to each other,
though we have a common connexion in dear Mrs Winterfield. And nothing,
to my idea, can be more objectionable than any sort of dependence from
a woman of my age on a man of yours there being no real tie of blood
between them. I have spoken very plainly, Captain Aylmer, for you have
made me do it.'

'Very plainly,' he said.

'If I have said anything to offend you, I beg your pardon; but I was
driven to explain myself.'

Then she got up and took her bed-candle in her hand.

'You have not offended me,' he said, as he also rose.

'Good-night, Captain Aylmer.'

He took her hand and kept it. 'Say that we are friends.'

'Why should we not be friends?'

'There is no reason on my part why we should not be the dearest
friends,' he said. 'Were it not that I am so utterly without