e days from
Jim. `Don Quixote,' they called you, because you were always taking up
high-flown notions of duty. It was delightful at Oxford, and such a
good example to the other men; but in business--you can't keep it up in
business, Ned! I am only a girl, but I hear people talk, and I know
quite well how it is. It is impossible to make a living at all, if you
are too particular what you do, and are always stopping to consider
other people besides yourself. You say that you were beaten by the
other firms when you were managing your father's Works, and now you will
let yourself be beaten again, if you give way to these foolish
prejudices and scruples."

Lilias finished with a breathless gasp, and Ned stood looking down at
her in silence. An expression of absolute horror had grown in his eyes
as he listened to her words, and now he threw himself down on the chair
beside her, and grasped her hands in appeal.

"Lilias! Lilias!--don't! Don't speak like that, darling! My little
white girl, don't turn pleader against me! You are to be my helpmeet,
my good angel, the inspiration of my life; don't begin by wishing me to
do less than my best! I am not imagining difficulties--you know I am
not--but even if I were, would it not be better to lose something for
conscience' sake, than deliberately to sell myself for gain? I am in
great perplexity, Lilias, and need all my courage. I beseech you not to
discourage me!"

His words were, in effect, a repetition of Mrs Rendell's on the same
subject, and now, as then, Lilias was shocked into a softer, more
unselfish frame of mind. The ready tears started to her eyes, and her
voice quivered with emotion.

"Indeed, indeed, I long to help you! I would not hinder you for the
world. I was trying to reconcile you to your position--to save you, if
possible, from worse trouble in the future. I know you will never
consent to do what is wrong, but if you are firm and patient, all may
still be well. It is worth trying, at least, for if you threw up this
post what is to happen next? You would have nothing to do."

"I could always earn a salary of a few hundreds a year. If they have
done nothing else, these last years have given me a thorough technical
knowledge of my own business, and that has a marketable value nowadays.
With the influence of the old name to back me up, I could find some firm
ready to take me in and give me a subordinate post. If I had only
myself to think of,