deavouring to suppress.
His conception of Milvain's character made it easy for him to form a
just surmise as to the reasons for this postponement; he was gratified
to think that Marian might learn how rightly he had judged her wooer,
and an involuntary pity for the girl did not prevent his hoping that
the detestable alliance was doomed. With difficulty he refrained from
smiling.

'I will make no comment on that,' he remarked, with a certain emphasis.
'But do you imply that this investment of which you speak is to be
solely for your own advantage?'

'For mine, and for yours and mother's.'

There was a silence of a minute or two. As yet it had not been necessary
to take any steps for raising money, but a few months more would see the
family without resources, save those provided by Marian, who, without
discussion, had been simply setting aside what she received for her
work.

'You must be well aware,' said Yule at length, 'that I cannot consent to
benefit by any such offer. When it is necessary, I shall borrow on the
security of--'

'Why should you do that, father?' Marian interrupted. 'My money is
yours. If you refuse it as a gift, then why may not I lend to you
as well as a stranger? Repay me when your eyes are restored. For the
present, all our anxieties are at an end. We can live very well until
you are able to write again.'

For his sake she put it in his way. Supposing him never able to earn
anything, then indeed would come a time of hardship; but she could
not contemplate that. The worst would only befall them in case she was
forsaken by Jasper, and if that happened all else would be of little
account.

'This has come upon me as a surprise,' said Yule, in his most reserved
tone. 'I can give no definite reply; I must think of it.'

'Should you like me to ask mother to bring her sewing here now?' asked
Marian, rising.

'Yes, you may do so.'

In this way the awkwardness of the situation was overcome, and when
Marian next had occasion to speak of money matters no serious objection
was offered to her proposal.

Dora Milvain of course learnt what had come to pass; to anticipate
criticism, her brother imparted to her the decision at which Marian and
he had arrived. She reflected with an air of discontent.

'So you are quite satisfied,' was her question at length, 'that Marian
should toil to support her parents as well as herself?'

'Can I help it?'

'I shall think very ill of you if you don't marry her