Cashel Byron's Profession

"It does not follow that you should go at once without a word," said

Lydia, betraying nervousness for the first time during the

interview.

"Oh, that's all rot," said Cashel. "I may be a fool while my eyes

are shut, but I'm sensible enough when they're open. I have no

business here. I wish to the Lord I had stayed in Australia."

"Perhaps it would have been better," said Lydia, troubled. "But

since we have met, it is useless to deplore it; and--Let me remind

you of one thing. You have pointed out to me that I have made

friends of men whose pursuits are no better than yours. I do not

wholly admit that; but there is one respect in which they are on the

same footing as you. They are all, as far as worldly gear is

concerned, much poorer than I. Many of them, I fear, are much poorer

than you are."

Cashel looked up quickly with returning hope; but it lasted only a

moment. He shook his head dejectedly.

"I am at least grateful to you," she continued, "because you have

sought me for my own sake, knowing nothing of my wealth."

"I should think not," groaned Cashel. "Your wealth may be a very

fine thing for the other fellows; and I'm glad you have it, for your

own sake. But it's a settler for me. It's knocked me out of time, so

it has. I sha'n't come up again; and the sooner the sponge is

chucked up in my corner, the better. So good-bye."

"Good-bye," said Lydia, almost as pale as he had now become, "since

you will have it so."

"Since the devil will have it so," said Cashel, ruefully. "It's no

use wishing to have it any other way. The luck is against me. I

hope, Miss Carew, that you'll excuse me for making such an ass of

myself. It's all my blessed innocence; I never was taught any

better."

"I have no quarrel with you except on the old score of hiding the

truth from me; and that I forgive you--as far as the evil of it

affects me. As for your declaration of attachment to me personally,

I have received many similar ones that have flattered me less. But

there are certain scruples between us. You will not court a woman a

hundred-fold richer than yourself; and I will not entertain a

prize-fighter. My wealth frightens every man who is not a knave; and

your profession frightens every woman who is not a fury."