•*  Nothing  of  that."  He  smiled.  **  To  be  frank,
it's  purely  a  question  of  money."

"  Money  !  "  Casswade  felt  gloomy,  and  looked
it.     This  word  haunted  him.      **  Money,  eh?  "

**  Yes.     You  see "  he  hesitated,   as   if  not

accustomed  to  speaking  of  his  private  affairs  ;
then  went  determinedly  on  :  "I  want  to  be  honest,
Mr.  Casswade,  both  with  you  and  myself.  I  have
figured  it  out  roughly.  Beyond  the  ten  pounds
deposit,  there  are  other  preliminary  expenses —
a  good  many,  in  fact.  It  must  sound  very  paltry
to  you,  no  doubt  ;  but  I  am  so  placed  at  present
that  I — well,  I  am  waiting  for  better  things  to
come,  so  to  put  it.  The  Loan  Society  repay-
ments, with  the  rates  and  taxes,  will  be  as  much  as


LOW    SOCIETY  65

I  can  manage  for  the  present.     Add  to  that  my

marriage,   and  the   cost   of   furnishing "      He

paused  again,  his  lips  set.
