"No," answered John, speaking much more seriously than hitherto. "It is a simple matter, of course--but it is quite true that it would be a convenience to me to have a hundred thousand dollars in cash during the next twenty-four hours, and after all, it will not make any difference to you, as so much of your property is in bonds. All you need to do is to borrow the money on call and give the bonds as collateral." "I do not understand those things, of course," said Marion in a tone of grief, "but I suppose it can be managed easily enough, and I shall be so proud if I am able to help you a little. Oh, John," she added, after a little pause, "if we could only be as we used to be, everything to each other." "I wish we could," John answered with real or assumed gravity. "But in this existence, there is everything to separate us and hardly anything to bring us together. You see, I am worried all day long, I never get any rest and then I lose my temper about everything. I know it is wrong but I cannot help it, and you must try to be as patient as you can, my dear." "I do try, John, I do try, do I not? Say that you know I do." For a moment she thought she had produced an impression upon him, and a vision of a happier and more peaceful life rose suddenly before her ready imagination. But the tone in which he spoke the next words dispelled any such illusion. "Oh yes," he said dryly, "I know you do, of course. You are awfully good--and I am awfully bad. I will reform as soon as I have time. And now, if you do not mind, I will go and attend to my letters." "And I will see about getting the money at once," she said, bravely hiding her disappointment at his change of tone. "I may be able to have it by this evening." "Oh yes," he answered with some eagerness, "if you are quick about it. Well good-bye, and I am really much more grateful than I seem." His dry unpleasant laugh was the last sound she heard as she left the room. After all, it seemed perfectly useless, though she did her best all day and every day.