"It does not follow that you should go at once without a word," said
Lydia, betraying nervousness for the first time during the
interview.
"Oh, that's all rot," said Cashel. "I may be a fool while my eyes
are shut, but I'm sensible enough when they're open. I have no
business here. I wish to the Lord I had stayed in Australia."
"Perhaps it would have been better," said Lydia, troubled. "But
since we have met, it is useless to deplore it; and--Let me remind
you of one thing. You have pointed out to me that I have made
friends of men whose pursuits are no better than yours. I do not
wholly admit that; but there is one respect in which they are on the
same footing as you. They are all, as far as worldly gear is
concerned, much poorer than I. Many of them, I fear, are much poorer
than you are."
Cashel looked up quickly with returning hope; but it lasted only a
moment. He shook his head dejectedly.
"I am at least grateful to you," she continued, "because you have
sought me for my own sake, knowing nothing of my wealth."
"I should think not," groaned Cashel. "Your wealth may be a very
fine thing for the other fellows; and I'm glad you have it, for your
own sake. But it's a settler for me. It's knocked me out of time, so
it has. I sha'n't come up again; and the sooner the sponge is
chucked up in my corner, the better. So good-bye."
"Good-bye," said Lydia, almost as pale as he had now become, "since
you will have it so."
"Since the devil will have it so," said Cashel, ruefully. "It's no
use wishing to have it any other way. The luck is against me. I
hope, Miss Carew, that you'll excuse me for making such an ass of
myself. It's all my blessed innocence; I never was taught any
better."
"I have no quarrel with you except on the old score of hiding the
truth from me; and that I forgive you--as far as the evil of it
affects me. As for your declaration of attachment to me personally,
I have received many similar ones that have flattered me less. But
there are certain scruples between us. You will not court a woman a
hundred-fold richer than yourself; and I will not entertain a
prize-fighter. My wealth frightens every man who is not a knave; and
your profession frightens every woman who is not a fury."