Rylton's face is growing hard and cold.
"You refuse, then ?" says he at last.
"I refuse nothing, but----" She breaks off.

"Maurice," cries she passionately, "why do you talk to me like this?
What has changed you?
Your mother?
Ah, I know it! She has set her heart on your marriage with this--this little _nobody_, and she is poisoning your mind against me.

But you--_you_--you will not forsake me for her!" "It is you who are forsaking me," returns he violently.

"Am I nothing to you, except as a medium by which you may acquire all the luxuries that women seem ready to sell their very souls for?
Come, Marian, rose above it all.

I am a poor man, but I am young, and I can work.