I don't want to boast about it, but don't you think it's a good thing for you ?" He felt himself it was a big thing he was offering--and so it was--the biggest he had.

"What I mean to say," he continued, "I'm a gentleman, you're earning your own living.

I'm going to make you your own mistress--" "But I don't love you," she said quietly, overlooking with generosity his insinuations about the position she held.
He gazed at her in amazement.

"Why not ?" he asked.
"Why not?
Oh, why should you ask me a hard question like that ?" "'Cause I want to know.

What's the matter with me?
I bet you--" "Oh, don't!" she begged, "I don't love you; that's all.