. It took a long time
before I had taught myself how to move and speak like one of the class to which
I belonged by right of intellect. I was living alone in London, in mean
lodging-houses. But the day came when I felt more confidence in myself. I had
saved money, and foresaw that in a year or two I should be able to carry out a
plan, make one serious attempt to win a position among educated people.«
    He stopped. Had he intended a full confession, it was thus he might have
begun it. Sidwell was regarding him, but with a gentle look, utterly
unsuspecting. She was unable to realise his character and his temptations.
    »And have you not succeeded?« she asked, in a low voice.
    »Have I? Let me put it to the test. I will set aside every thought of
presumption; forget that I am a penniless student looking forward to a country
curacy; and say what I wished to when we had our last conversation. Never mind
how it sounds. I have dared to hope that some day I shall ask you to be my wife,
and that you won't refuse.«
    The word wife reverberated on his ears. A whirl of emotion broke the defiant
calm he had supported for the last few minutes. The silence seemed to be
endless; when he looked at Sidwell, her head was bent, the eyes concealed by
their drooping lids. Her expression was very grave.
    »Such a piece of recklessness,« he said at length, »deserves no answer.«
    Sidwell raised her eyes and spoke gently, with voice a little shaken.
    »Why should you call it recklessness? I have never thought of the things
that seem to trouble you so much. You were a friend of ours. Wasn't that
enough?«
    It seemed to him an evasive reply. Doubtless it was much that she showed
neither annoyance nor prudish reserve. He had won the right of addressing her on
equal terms, but she was not inclined to anticipate that future day to which he
pointed.
    »You have never thought of such things, because you have never thought of me
as I of you. Every day of your absence in London has caused me torments which
were due most often to the difference between your social position and mine. You
have been among people of leisure and refinement and culture. Each evening you
have talked with men whom it cost no effort to make themselves liked and
respected. I think of that with bitterness.«
    »But why? I have made many
