. Most people like presents, but they only bore me."

"Because you are so indifferent, Frank;--so cold. Do you remember
giving me a little ring?"

"Very well indeed. It cost eight and sixpence."

"I never thought what it cost;--but there it is." This she said,
drawing off her glove and showing him her finger. "And when I am
dead, there it will be. You say you want money, Frank. May I not give
it you? Are not we brother and sister?"

"My dear Lizzie, you say you hate money. Don't talk about it."

"It is you that talk about it. I only talk about it because I want
to give it you;--yes, all that I have. When I first knew what was
the real meaning of my husband's will, my only thought was to be of
assistance to you."

In real truth Frank was becoming very sick of her. It seemed to him
now to have been almost impossible that he should ever soberly have
thought of making her his wife. The charm was all gone, and even her
prettiness had in his eyes lost its value. He looked at her, asking
himself whether in truth she was pretty. She had been travelling all
day, and perhaps the scrutiny was not fair. But he thought that even
after the longest day's journey Lucy would not have been soiled,
haggard, dishevelled, and unclean, as was this woman.

Travellers again entered the carriage, and they went on with a crowd
of persons till they reached the platform at which they changed the
carriage for Troon. Then they were again alone, for a few minutes,
and Lizzie with infinite courage determined that she would make her
last attempt. "Frank," she said, "you know what it is that I mean.
You cannot feel that I am ungenerous. You have made me love you. Will
you have all that I have to give?" She was leaning over, close to
him, and he was observing that her long lock of hair was out of curl
and untidy,--a thing that ought not to have been there during such a
journey as this.

"Do you not know," he said, "that I am engaged to marry Lucy Morris?"

"No;--I do not know it."

"I have told you so more than once."

"You cannot afford to marry her."

"Then I shall do it without affording." Lizzie was about to
speak,--had already pronounced her rival's name in that tone of
contempt which she so well knew how to use, when he stopped her. "Do
not say anything against her, Lizzie, in my hearing, for I will not
bear it. It would force me to leave you at the Troon station, and
I had better see you now to the end of the journey." Lizzie flung