The young girl, as we have hinted, was by no means incapable of dissimulation, but she naturally revolted against having to support such a _role_ as this, and would have even run the risk of precipitating what might have been a catastrophe by undeceiving him.

But Richard bade her have patience.

He had strong reasons, if they were not good ones, for being well satisfied with the present state of affairs.

In love, notwithstanding much savage writing to the contrary, it is the woman who suffers; it is she who is the small trader, who can least afford to wait, while man is the capitalist.

Richard saw no immediate necessity for pressing the matter of his marriage, upon which his heart was, nevertheless, as deeply set as ever.