they are refined, etc., but this will only make poverty harder for
them. Of course we are sorry for them, but in this world people have
got to take care of themselves. So we must be on the lookout for some
one who has money which can't be sunk in a stock operation as if
thrown into the sea."

After all this sound reason, poor, weak Grus, vaguely conscious of his
helplessness, as stated by his father, and quite believing his
mother's assurance that "he could marry any girl he pleased," was in
no mood to urge the penniless Edith to give him her empty hand, while
before the party, when he believed it full, he was doing his best to
bring her to this point, though in fact she gave him little
opportunity.

Edith detected the change, and before very long surmised the cause. It
made the young girl curl her lip, and say, in a tone of scorn that
would have done Gus good to hear:

"The idea of a _man_ acting in this style."

But she did not care enough about him to receive a wound of any depth,
and with a good-natured tolerance recognized his weakness, and his
genuine liking for her, and determined to make him useful.

Edith was very practical, and possessed of a brave, resolute nature.
She was capable of strong feelings, but Gus Elliot was not the man to
awaken such in any woman. She liked his company, and proposed to use
him in certain ways. Under her easy manner Gus also became at ease,
and, finding that he was not expected to propose and be sentimental,
was all the more inclined to be friendly.