"How much time do you want ?" Vanderbank gave a headshake that was both restrictive and indulgent.

"I must live into it a little.

Your offer has been before me only these few minutes, and it's too soon for me to commit myself to anything whatever.
Except," he added gallantly, "to my gratitude." Mr.Longdon, at this, on the divan, got up, as Vanderbank had previously done, under the spring of emotion; only, unlike Vanderbank, he still stood there, his hands in his pockets and his face, a little paler, directed straight.

There was disappointment in him even before he spoke.
"You've no strong enough impulse-- ?" His friend met him with admirable candour.

"Wouldn't it seem that if I had I would by this time have taken the jump ?" "Without waiting, you mean, for anybody's money ?" Mr.Longdon cultivated for a little a doubt.