"
The practical side of Tavernake's nature was very much to the
fore that morning. He began to wonder whether women, after all,
strange and fascinating creatures though they were, possessed
judgment which could be relied upon--whether they were not swayed
too much by sentiment.
"Beatrice," he said, "you must understand this. I have no time
to raise the money elsewhere. If I don't get it from your
sister, supposing she is still willing to let me have it, my
chance has gone. I shall have to take a situation in some one
else's office as a clerk--probably not so good a place as I held
at Dowling & Spence's. On the other hand, the use of that money
for a very short time would be the start of my career. All that
you say is so vague. Why need I know anything about it? I met
your sister in the ordinary way of business and she has made an
ordinary business proposition to me, one by which she will be,
incidentally, very greatly benefited. I never thought of telling
you this at all, but when the time came I hated to go and draw
that money from your sister without having said anything to you.
So I came this morning, but I want you, if you possibly can, to
look at the matter from my point of view."
She was silent for several moments. Then she glanced at him
curiously.
"Why on earth," she asked, "should my sister make this offer to
you? She isn't a fool. She doesn't usually trust strangers."
"She trusted me, apparently," Tavernake answered.
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