r father
excited eight or nine days ago, but at that time she could not have
uttered her opinion calmly, deliberately, as now. The smile which
accompanied the words was also new; it signified deliverance from
pupilage.

'I have felt that,' returned her father, after a slight pause to command
his voice, that it might be suave instead of scornful. 'I greatly fear
that I have made your life something of a martyrdom----'

'Don't think I meant that, father. I am speaking only of the general
question. I can't be quite so zealous as you are, that's all. I love
books, but I could wish people were content for a while with those we
already have.'

'My dear Marian, don't suppose that I am out of sympathy with you here.
Alas! how much of my work has been mere drudgery, mere labouring for a
livelihood! How gladly I would have spent much more of my time among
the great authors, with no thought of making money of them! If I speak
approvingly of a scheme for a new periodical, it is greatly because of
my necessities.'

He paused and looked at her. Marian returned the look.

'You would of course write for it,' she said.

'Marian, why shouldn't I edit it? Why shouldn't it be your property?'

'My property--?'

She checked a laugh. There came into her mind a more disagreeable
suspicion than she had ever entertained of her father. Was this
the meaning of his softened behaviour? Was he capable of calculated
hypocrisy? That did not seem consistent with his character, as she knew
it.

'Let us talk it over,' said Yule. He was in visible agitation and his
voice shook. 'The idea may well startle you at first. It will seem to
you that I propose to make away with your property before you have even
come into possession of it.' He laughed. 'But, in fact, what I have in
mind is merely an investment for your capital, and that an admirable
one. Five thousand pounds at three per cent.--one doesn't care to reckon
on more--represents a hundred and fifty a year. Now, there can be very
little doubt that, if it were invested in literary property such as I
have in mind, it would bring you five times that interest, and before
long perhaps much more. Of course I am now speaking in the roughest
outline. I should have to get trustworthy advice; complete and detailed
estimates would be submitted to you. At present I merely suggest to you
this form of investment.'

He watched her face eagerly, greedily. When Marian's eyes rose to his he
looked away.