"There are worse things, more terrible things even than theft." The practical side of Tavernake's nature was very much to the fore that morning.

He began to wonder whether women, after all, strange and fascinating creatures though they were, possessed judgment which could be relied upon--whether they were not swayed too much by sentiment.
"Beatrice," he said, "you must understand this.

I have no time to raise the money elsewhere.

If I don't get it from your sister, supposing she is still willing to let me have it, my chance has gone.

I shall have to take a situation in some one else's office as a clerk--probably not so good a place as I held at Dowling & Spence's.