'Then, of course,' she said, 'you don't expect me to give any decided
answer.'

'Of course not--of course not. I merely put before you the chief
advantages of such an investment. As I am a selfish old fellow, I'll
talk about the benefit to myself first of all. I should be editor of the
new review; I should draw a stipend sufficient to all my needs--quite
content, at first, to take far less than another man would ask, and to
progress with the advance of the periodical. This position would enable
me to have done with mere drudgery; I should only write when I felt
called to do so--when the spirit moved me.' Again he laughed, as though
desirous of keeping his listener in good humour. 'My eyes would be
greatly spared henceforth.'

He dwelt on that point, waiting its effect on Marian. As she said
nothing he proceeded:

'And suppose I really were doomed to lose my sight in the course of a
few years, am I wrong in thinking that the proprietor of this periodical
would willingly grant a small annuity to the man who had firmly
established it?'

'I see the force of all that,' said Marian; 'but it takes for granted
that the periodical will be successful.'

'It does. In the hands of a publisher like Jedwood--a vigorous man of
the new school--its success could scarcely be doubtful.'

'Do you think five thousand pounds would be enough to start such a
review?'

'Well, I can say nothing definite on that point. For one thing, the
coat must be made according to the cloth; expenditure can be largely
controlled without endangering success. Then again, I think Jedwood
would take a share in the venture. These are details. At present I only
want to familiarise you with the thought that an investment of this sort
will very probably offer itself to you.'

'It would be better if we called it a speculation,' said Marian, smiling
uneasily.

Her one object at present was to oblige her father to understand that
the suggestion by no means lured her. She could not tell him that what
he proposed was out of the question, though as yet that was the light in
which she saw it. His subtlety of approach had made her feel justified
in dealing with him in a matter-of-fact way. He must see that she was
not to be cajoled. Obviously, and in the nature of the case, he was
urging a proposal in which he himself had all faith; but Marian knew
his judgment was far from infallible. It mitigated her sense of behaving
unkindly to reflect that in all likelihood