" Sylvia rejoined pointedly. "Don't be
premature."

"Well," said Bland, "I can only make one defense, but I think you ought
to realize how strong it is. We were thrown into each other's society,
and it isn't in the least surprising that I lost my head and was
carried away. My power of reasoning went when I fell in love with you."

"That sounds pretty, but it's unfortunate you didn't think of me a
little more," pouted Sylvia.

"Think of you?" Bland broke out. "I thought of nothing else!"

"Then it wasn't to much purpose. Don't you see what you want to bring
me to? Can't you realize what I should have to give up? How could we
ever manage on the little we have?"

The man frowned. He was sorry for her and somewhat ashamed, but she
jarred on him in her present mood.

"I believe people who were sufficiently fond of each other have often
got along pretty satisfactorily on less, even in the Service. It's a
matter of keen regret to me that you will have to make a sacrifice, but
things are not quite so bad as they look, and there's reason for
believing they may get better. You will have as pleasant society as
you enjoy now; my friends will stand by my wife." A look of pride
crept into his face. "I dare say they have their failings, but they'll
only expect charm from you, and you can give it to them. They won't
value you by the display you make or your possessions. We're free from
that taint."

"But have you considered what you must give up?"

Bland had hardly expected this, but he smiled.

"Oh, yes. I spent an evening over it and I was a little surprised to
find how many things there were I could readily do without. In fact,
it was a most instructive evening. The next day I wrote a bundle of
letters, resigning from clubs I rarely went to, and canceling orders
for odds and ends I hadn't the least real use for. But I'll confess
that I've derived a good deal more pleasure from thinking of how much I
shall get."

Sylvia was touched, but she did not mean to yield too readily.

"It would be dreadfully imprudent."

"Just so; one has often to take a risk. It's rather exciting to fling
prudence overboard. I want to fix my whole attention on the fact that
we love each other!" Bland glanced at his watch. "Now it strikes me
that we have been sufficiently practical, and as I must start back
to-night, I haven't much time left. Don't you think it would be a pity
to waste it?"

He drew her down beside him