To part from her on such terms as these meant despair; the consequences would be tragic.

And when he could go no further in amorous supplication, when she felt that her injured pride had exacted the uttermost from his penitence, Madeline at length relented.
"Still," she said, after his outburst of gratitude, "don't think that I ask you to become a man of business.

You shall never charge me with that.

It is your nature to reproach other people when anything goes wrong with you; I know you only too well.

You must decide for yourself; I will take no responsibility." Yes, he accepted that; it was purely his own choice.