By my own exertions I've never done one bally thing either useful or spectacular.

I'm not distinguished by anything except an unfair share of wealth.

I'm not eminent, let alone pre-eminent, even in that sordid class; there are richer men, plenty of them--some even who have made their own fortunes and have not been hatched out in a suffocating plethora of affluence like the larva of the Carnifex tumble-bug----" "Scott!" "And I!" he ended savagely.

"Why, I'm not even pre-eminent as far as my position in the social puddle is concerned; there are sets that wouldn't endure me; there's at least one club into which I couldn't possibly wriggle; there are drawing-rooms where I wouldn't be tolerated, because I've nothing on earth to recommend me or to distinguish me from Algernon FitzNoodle and Montmorency de Sansgallette except an inflated income! What have I to offer anybody worth while for entertaining me?
What have I to offer you, Kathleen, in exchange for yourself ?" He was becoming boyishly dramatic with sweeping gestures which amazed her; but she was conscious that it was all sincere and very real to him.
"Scott, dear," she began sweetly, uncertain how to take it all; "kindness, loyalty, and decent breeding are all that a woman cares for in a man----" "You are entitled to more; you are entitled to a man of distinction, of attainment, of achievement----" "Few women ask for that, Scott; few care for it; fewer still understand it----" "You would.

I've got a cheek to ask you to marry me--_me!_--before I wear any tag to identify me except the dollar mark----" "Oh, hush, Scott! You are talking utter nonsense; don't you know it ?" He made a large and rather grandiose gesture: "Around me lies opportunity, Kathleen--every stone; every brook----" The mischievous laughter of his listener checked him.