THE AVERNIAN SLOPE When she spoke again a quick observer might have noticed that in her voice there was a new intonation. "Two hundred pounds is not such a very large sum." "Isn't it? I'm glad you think so. It's a large sum to me; a lot too large. I've about as much chance of getting it as I have of getting the moon. And if I did get it I shouldn't be much forwarder so far as marriage is concerned. What's the use of my talking of marrying when I hardly earn enough to buy myself bread and cheese? and it's as certain as anything can be that in this place I never shall earn enough." "Why not?" "For one reason, if for no other, because in this place there's only room for one solicitor; and old Dawson's that one. He's got all the business that's worth having; and, what's more, he'll keep it. Now if I could buy old Dawson out--I happen to know that he's made what he considers pile enough for him, and would be quite willing to retire; or even if I could buy a share in his business, he might be willing to sell that; then it might be a case of talking; but as it is, so far as I'm concerned, marriage is off." "How much would be wanted?" "If I could lay my hands on a thousand, or fifteen hundred pounds in cash, then I might go to Dawson and make a proposal; but as I never shall be able to lay my hands on it, it would be better for both of us if we talked sense; that's what I've come for, to talk sense." "Does all this mean that you've found out that you made a mistake when you told me that you loved me?" "It means the exact opposite; I've found out that I love you a good deal more than I thought I did. If I didn't love you I might be disposed to behave like a cad, and marry you out of hand; but as I do love you I'm not taking any chances." "I don't quite follow your reasoning." "Don't you? It's clear enough to me. I'm in a hole, and because I love you I'm not going to drag you in as well." "But suppose I should like to be dragged?" "You don't understand, or you wouldn't talk like that." "Shouldn't I? Don't be too certain. You are sure you love me?" "I love you more than I thought I could love any one, and that's the mischief." "Is it? I don't agree; because, you see, I love you." "It's no good; I wish you didn't." "Do you? Then I don't. If you wanted me to, I'd marry you to-morrow." "Elaine!" Then he did take her in his arms, and he kissed her. And she kissed him. Suddenly he put her from him. "Don't! for God's sake, don't! Elaine, don't you tempt me! I'm not much of a chap, and I'm not much of a hand at resisting temptation--there's frankness for you!--and I want to keep straight where you're concerned. I'll make a clean breast of it; the only way I can see out of the mess I'm in is to make a bolt for it, and I'm going to bolt; there you have it. I've come up here to say good-bye." "Good-bye?" Her voice was tremulous.