Mrs. Darche started a little at the words. As has been said, she was really quite in ignorance of what was taking place and had no idea that her husband could be in need of what in comparison with the means of the Company seemed but a small sum in cash. "Do you need money, John?" she asked, looking at him anxiously. "Oh no, I was only putting an imaginary case." "I wish it were not merely imaginary--" "Do you?" he asked, interrupting her quickly. "That is kind." Marion seemed about to lose her temper at last, though she meant to control herself. "John!" she exclaimed, in a tone of reproach, "why will you so misunderstand me?" "It is you who misunderstand everything." "I mean it quite seriously," she answered. "You know if you were really in trouble for a sum like that, I could help you. Not that you ever could be. I was only thinking--wishing that in some way or other I might be of use. If I could help you in anything, no matter how insignificant, it would bring us together." John smiled incredulously. "Oh!" he exclaimed, "is that what you are driving at? Do you not think life is very bearable as we are?" By this time Marion had completely regained her self-possession. She was determined not to be repulsed, but there was a little bitterness in her voice as she spoke. "No, frankly, John, as we are living now, life is not very bearable. I cannot exchange half a dozen words with you without quarrelling, and it is not my fault, John, it is not my fault! Could you not sometimes make it a little easier for me?" "By borrowing a hundred thousand dollars?" A pause followed John's answer, and he walked as far as the window, came back again and stopped. "If you think it would be conducive to our conjugal happiness that I should owe you a hundred thousand dollars, by all means lend it to me. I will give you very good security and pay you the current rate of interest." Mrs. Darche hesitated a moment before she spoke again. She was not quite sure that he was in earnest, and being determined to make the utmost use of the opportunity she had created, she dreaded lest if she pressed her offer upon him he should suddenly turn upon her with a brutal laugh. "Do you really mean it, John?" she asked at last. "Will it help you at all?" "Oh, if you insist upon it and think it will promote your happiness, I have no objection to taking it," said Darche coolly. "As a matter of fact it would be a convenience to-day, and it might help me to-morrow. It will certainly not be of any importance next week." "I do not know whether you are in earnest or not, but I am." Once more she paused. She realised that he was in need of a great deal of money, and that his scornful acceptance of her offer was really his way of expressing real interest. "You shall have it as soon as I can get it for you. If you really need it I shall be very glad. If you are only laughing at me--well, I can bear that too."