"Then you--Just tell me this," said Cashel, eagerly. "Suppose I were
a rich swell, and were not a--"
"No," said Lydia, peremptorily interrupting him. "I will suppose
nothing but what is."
Cashel relapsed into melancholy. "If you only hadn't been kind to
me!" he said. "I think the reason I love you so much is that you're
the only person that is not afraid of me. Other people are civil
because they daren't be otherwise to the cock of the ring. It's a
lonely thing to be a champion. You knew nothing about that; and you
knew I was afraid of you; and yet you were as good as gold."
"It is also a lonely thing to be a very rich woman. People are
afraid of my wealth, and of what they call my learning. We two have
at least one experience in common. Now do me a great favor, by
going. We have nothing further to say."
"I'll go in two seconds. But I don't believe much in YOUR being
lonely. That's only fancy."
"Perhaps so. Most feelings of this kind are only fancies."
There was a pause. Then Cashel said, "I don't feel half so downhearted as I did a minute ago. Are you
sure that you're not angry with me?"
"Quite sure. Pray let me say good-bye."
"And may I never see you again? Never at all?--world without end,
amen?"
"Never as the famous prize-fighter. But if a day should come when
Mr. Cashel Byron will be something better worthy of his birth and
nature, I will not forget an old friend. Are you satisfied now?"
Cashel's face began to glow, and the roots of his hair to tingle.
"One thing more," he said. "If you meet me by chance in the street
before that, will you give me a look? I don't ask for a regular bow,
but just a look to keep me going?"
"I have no intention of cutting you," said Lydia, gravely. "But do
not place yourself purposely in my way."
"Honor bright, I won't. I'll content myself with walking through
that street in Soho occasionally. Now I'm off; I know you're in a
hurry to be rid of me. So good-b--Stop a bit, though. Perhaps when
that time you spoke of comes, you will be married."
"It is possible; but I am not likely to marry. How many more things
have you to say that you have no right to say?"