to offer
her. She 'd never have taken him for his fortune, if it had been ten
times the amount. No, she would n't consent to it, even to take _me_ out
of my difficulties and set me all straight with the world, because she
fancied that by going on the stage, or some such trumpery, she could
have done that just as well. She'd not have had him for himself, for
she knows he's a fool, just as well as I do. There was only one thing
I found she could n't get over: it was the thought she _dare_ not marry
him; that to thrust herself into the station and rank _he_ occupied
would be to expose herself to insults that must crush her. It was by a
mere chance I discovered that this was a challenge she 'd have rather
died than decline. It was for all the world like saying to myself,
'Don't you go into the ring there, Kit Davis; my Lords and the gentlemen
don't like it.' 'Don't they? Well, let's see how they'll take it, for I
_am_ a-going!' It was _that_ stung her, Paul Classon. _She_ did n't want
all those fine people; _she_ did n't care a brass farthing about their
ways and their doings! _She_ 'd not have thought it a hard lot in life
just to jog on as she is. She did n't want to be called a countess, nor
live like one; but when it was hinted to her, that if she _did_ venture
amongst them, it would be to be driven back with shame and insult, then
her mind was made up at once. Not that she ever confessed as much to me;
no, I found out her secret by watching her closely. The day I told her I
forget what anecdote about some outrageous piece of insolence played off
on some new intruder into the titled class, she suddenly started as
if something had stung her, and her eyes glared like a tiger's; then,
catching me by the hand, she said, 'Don't tell me these things; they
pain me more to hear than real, downright calamities!' That was enough
for _me_. I saw her cards, Paul, and I played through them!"

Classon heaved a deep sigh, and was silent.

"What are you sighing over, Paul?" asked Davis, half morosely.

"I was just sorrowing to myself to think how little all her pluck will
avail her."

"Stuff and nonsense, sir! It is the very thing to depend on in the
struggle."

"Ay, if there were a struggle, Kit, but that is exactly what there will
not be. You, for instance, go into Brookes's to-morrow, you have been
duly elected. It was a wet day, only a few at the ballot, and somehow
you got in. Well, you are, to all intents, as much a member a