I'd rather do such a deed for my country than hold the combined fortunes of all our six thousand little millionaires. "You think, dear, that you are in Society. But the real aristocracy has always been one of brains and ethics. The people in your little world live for money. They do not possess it, they are possessed by it. They are slaves. You will have to come with me, into the great free world--if you love me." "If I love you?" Nan cried, with trembling lips. "Don't speak that way. If you only knew! My love for you has kept me alive through all that I've endured. It's the only thing that's worth the struggle; but I can't think. Your demand is so sudden, so stunning, so terrifying, I don't know what to say. My life and all I have is too short to make atonement to you and I can't afford to make a mistake. I want to be sure. A year from now you might see things differently." "We can never be anything to each other," he answered firmly, "on any other terms than the renunciation of all that Bivens leaves. I don't care what you do with it, just so you wash your hands of it. You and I must begin life just where we left off when the shadow of his money darkened the world for us both. You must give it up." "It's hard, dearest," she said with a sob, "for your sake it's hard. I've dreamed so many wonderful things that would come to pass when I made you the master of these millions." "You must choose between his money and my love; you can't have both." She gazed at him with a desperate yearning. "I'll do anything you wish, only love me, dearest," she sobbed. "I am yours, body and soul, all that I am and all that I have. You can do with it as you please! All I ask is to be loved--loved--loved--and that you never leave me!" But even as she spoke, her mind was made up. She would reserve at least half her fortune secretly. When they were married she could persuade him to be reasonable. "All right, then it's settled, but it must be everything with me or nothing. I won't shake hands with my friend and make love to his wife. You must cease to be his wife now." "But how--what do you mean?" she asked, white with sudden fear. "Leave your husband, your palaces, your millions and join me to-morrow night on the Limited for New York. Bring only a change of clothes in a single trunk and a hand-bag. My money must be sufficient. I'll wire for passage on an outgoing steamer. We'll spend two years in Europe and return to America when we please. Are you ready?" "Oh, Jim, dear," she faltered--"you know that would be madness!" "Certainly it's madness, the madness of a great love! Come, why do you hesitate?" The lines of her body relaxed and she began to softly sob. The man waited in silence for her to speak. "I've done you harm enough, dearest," she said at last. "I can't do this." "And your thought is only of me, Nan?" he asked with piercing intensity. "And of myself," she acknowledged brokenly. "I couldn't do such an insane, vulgar thing."