Half beseeches--half persuades--" "He does not!" And the girl's voice was sharp with pain.

"I would not have told you, but I must--for his sake.

He asked me this afternoon if I was afraid of being poor?
if I would like to wait, and let him work hard alone, till he could give me a home like that I was born to?
He did, Caroline." "And you answered--" "No--a thousand times, no! He will have a hard battle to fight--would I let him fight it alone?
when I can help him--when he says I can." "Ah, child! you that know nothing of poverty, how can you bear it ?" "I will try." "You that never ruled a house in your life--" "I can learn." "Ciel! 'tis wonderful! And this young man has no friends, no connections, no fortune! only himself." "Only himself," said Ursula, with a proud contempt.
"Will you tell me, my dear, why you marry him ?" "Because"-- and Ursula spoke in low tones, that seemed wrung out of her almost against her will--"because I honour him, because I trust him; and, young as I am, I have seen enough of the world to be thankful that there is in it one man whom I can trust, can honour, entirely.
Also--though I am often ashamed lest this be selfish--because when I was in trouble he helped me; when I was misjudged he believed in me; when I was sad and desolate he loved me.

And I am proud of his love--I glory in it.

No one shall take it from me--no one will--no one can, unless I cease to deserve it." Lady Caroline was silent.