to take any more distant
rambles with her far-away cousin Frank Houston. In the teeth of that
advice this walk was taken, and the conversation in the pine-wood had
at the present moment arrived at the point above given.

"I do not know that any two persons were ever further asunder in
an argument than you and I in this," said Frank, not in the least
disconcerted by the severe epithets which had been applied to him.
"I conceive that you are led away by a desire to deceive yourself,
whereas hypocrisy should only be used with the object of deceiving
others."

"How do I deceive myself?"

"In making believe that men are generally different from what they
are;--in trying to suppose that I ought to be, if I am not, a hero.
You shall not find a man whose main object is not that of securing
an income. The clergyman who preaches against gold licks the ground
beneath the minister's feet in order that he may become a bishop. The
barrister cares not with what case he may foul his hands so long as
he may become rich. The man in trade is so aware of his own daily
dishonesty that he makes two separate existences for himself, and
endeavours to atone for his rascality in the City by his performance
of all duties at the West End. I regard myself to be so infinitely
cleaner in my conscience than other men that I could not bring myself
to be a bishop, an attorney-general, or a great merchant. Of all the
ways open to me this seems to me to be the least sordid. I give her
the only two things which she desires,--myself and a position. She
will give me the only thing I desire, which is some money. When you
marry you'll make an equally fine bargain,--only your wares will be
your beauty."

"You will not give her yourself;--not your heart."

"Yes, I shall. I shall make the most of her, and shall do so by
becoming as fond of her as I can. Of course I like breeding. Of
course I like beauty. Of course I like that aroma of feminine charm
which can only be produced by a mixture of intellect, loveliness,
taste, and early association. I don't pretend to say that my future
would not be much sweeter before me with you as my wife,--if only
either of us had a sufficiency of income. I acknowledge that. But
then I acknowledge also that I prefer Miss Tringle, with L100,000,
to you with nothing; and I do not think that I ought to be called
unmanly, disgraceful, and a coward, because I have courage enough
to speak the truth openly to a friend whom I trust.