wore independent, and in a fair way to keep his place in the world
without my help, I should despise him if he hesitated to approach me
for fear of misconstruction. I do not think a man is ever thoroughly
honest until he is superior to that fear. But if he had no
profession, no money, and no aim except to live at my expense, then
I should regard him as an adventurer, and treat him as one--unless I
fell in love with him."

"Unless you fell in love with him!"

"That--assuming that such things really happen--would make a
difference in my feeling, but none in my conduct. I would not marry
an adventurer under any circumstances. I could cure myself of a
misdirected passion, but not of a bad husband."

Lucian said nothing; he walked on with long, irregular steps,
lowering at the pavement as if it were a difficult problem, and
occasionally thrusting at it with his stick. At last he looked up,
and said,

"Would you mind prolonging your walk a little by going round Bedford
Square with me? I have something particular to say."

She turned and complied without a word; and they had traversed one
side of the square before he spoke again, in these terms:

"On second thoughts, Lydia, this is neither the proper time nor
place for an important communication. Excuse me for having taken you
out of your way for nothing."