I don't believe she ever heard a word of sentiment or tenderness from any man in her life." "Very likely; so where's the difficulty ?" "Well, to tell the truth, the difficulty is in my own affairs." "Your affairs! Odd, too.

What's up?
I didn't know any thing had happened.

That's too infernal bad, too." "Oh, it's nothing of that sort; money's all right; no swindle.

It's an affair of another character altogether." "Oh!" "And one, too, that makes me think that--" He hesitated.
"That what ?" "That I'd better start for Australia." "Australia!" "Yes." "What's the meaning of that ?" "Why," said Dacres, gloomily, "it means giving up the child-angel, and trying to forget her--if I ever can." "Forget her! What's the meaning of all this?
Why, man, five minutes ago you were all on fire about her, and now you talk quietly about giving her up! I'm all adrift." "Well, it's a mixed up matter." "What is ?" "My affair." "Your affair; something that has happened ?" "Yes.

It's a sore matter, and I don't care to speak about it just now." "Oh!" "And it's the real cause why I don't go back to England." "The mischief it is! Why, Dacres, I'll be hanged if you're not using the very words I myself used a few minutes ago." "Am I ?" said Dacres, gloomily.
"You certainly are; and that makes me think that our affairs are in a similar complication." "Oh no; mine is very peculiar." "Well, there's one thing I should like to ask, and you needn't answer unless you like." "Well ?" "Doesn't your difficulty arise from some confounded woman or other ?" "Well--yes." "By Jove, I knew it! And, old fellow, I'm in the same situation." [Illustration: "BY JOVE, I KNEW IT!"] "Oh ho! So you're driven away from England by a woman ?" "Exactly." Dacres sighed heavily.
"Yours can't be as bad as mine," said he, with a dismal look.