at refusal. I was very sorry for
him," Ralph repeated.

For some moments Isabel said nothing; then at last, "Do you know how
often he had seen me?" she enquired. "Five or six times."

"That's to your glory."

"It's not for that I say it."

"What then do you say it for. Not to prove that poor Warburton's state
of mind's superficial, because I'm pretty sure you don't think that."

Isabel certainly was unable to say she thought it; but presently she
said something else. "If you've not been requested by Lord Warburton to
argue with me, then you're doing it disinterestedly--or for the love of
argument."

"I've no wish to argue with you at all. I only wish to leave you alone.
I'm simply greatly interested in your own sentiments."

"I'm greatly obliged to you!" cried Isabel with a slightly nervous
laugh.

"Of course you mean that I'm meddling in what doesn't concern me. But
why shouldn't I speak to you of this matter without annoying you or
embarrassing myself? What's the use of being your cousin if I can't have
a few privileges? What's the use of adoring you without hope of a reward
if I can't have a few compensations? What's the use of being ill and
disabled and restricted to mere spectatorship at the game of life if I
really can't see the show when I've paid so much for my ticket? Tell me
this," Ralph went on while she listened to him with quickened attention.
"What had you in mind when you refused Lord Warburton?"

"What had I in mind?"

"What was the logic--the view of your situation--that dictated so
remarkable an act?"

"I didn't wish to marry him--if that's logic."

"No, that's not logic--and I knew that before. It's really nothing, you
know. What was it you said to yourself? You certainly said more than
that."

Isabel reflected a moment, then answered with a question of her own.
"Why do you call it a remarkable act? That's what your mother thinks
too."

"Warburton's such a thorough good sort; as a man, I consider he has
hardly a fault. And then he's what they call here no end of a swell. He
has immense possessions, and his wife would be thought a superior being.
He unites the intrinsic and the extrinsic advantages."

Isabel watched her cousin as to see how far he would go. "I refused him
because he was too perfect then. I'm not perfect myself, and he's too
good for me. Besides, his perfection would irritate me."

"That's ingenious rather than candid," said Ralph. "As a fact you think
nothing in t