Ever since his boyhood he had laughed and sneered at the mere idea of the finer feelings--he believed that every man has his price--and that honesty and honour are things useful as terms but of no real existence.

And now he was wondering--really wondering--if this girl meant the things she said: if she really felt a mental loathing of such minds and purposes as he knew his own were, or if it were merely acting on her part.

Before he could speak she turned on him again more fiercely than before.
"Shall I tell you something else in plain language ?" she asked.

"You evidently possess a very small and limited knowledge--if you have any at all!--of women, and you apparently don't rate their mental qualities at any high standard.

Let me tell you that I am not quite such a fool as you seem to think me! You came here this afternoon to bargain with me! You happen to know how much I respect my guardian and what I owe him for the care he has taken of me and my brother.