"How have I vexed you?
Who has been saying nasty little things about me?
The dear mother, eh ?" "I want no one to tell me anything, but you." "Speak, then; did I not tell you I should answer ?" "I want an answer to one question, and one only," says Rylton slowly.
"That is modesty itself." "Will you marry me ?" "Marry you ?" She repeats his words almost in a whisper, her eyes on the ground, then suddenly she uplifts her graceful form, and, lazily clasping her arms behind her head, looks at him.

"Surely we have been through this before," says she, with a touch of reproach.
"Many times!" His lips have grown into a rather straight line.
"Still I repeat my question." "Am I so selfish as this in your eyes ?" asks she.

"Is it thus you regard me ?" Her large eyes have grown quite full of tears.

"Is my own happiness so much to me that for the sake of it I would deliberately ruin yours ?" "It would not ruin mine! Marry me, Marian, if--you love me!" "You know I love you." Her voice is tremulous now and her face very pale.

"But _how_ can we marry?
I am a beggar, and you----" "The same!" returns he shortly.