"I now felt, and looked, and spoke eagerly. I was unwise to quit my sheet-anchor of calm even for an instant; it deprived me of an advantage and transferred it to her. The little spark of temper dissolved in sarcasm, and eddied over her countenance in the ripples of a mocking smile.
"'Take a wife that has paid you court to save your modesty, and thrust herself upon you to spare your scruples.'
"'Only show me where.'
"'Any stout widow that has had a few husbands already, and can manage these things.'
"'She must not be rich, then. Oh these riches!'
"'Never would you have gathered the produce of the gold-bearing garden. You have not courage to confront the sleepless dragon; you have not craft to borrow the aid of Atlas.'

"I now felt and spoke eagerly. I was unwise to lose my calm even for an instant; it deprived me of an advantage. The little spark of temper dissolved in a mocking smile.
"'Look for any stout widow that has had a few husbands already.'
"'She must not be rich. Oh, these riches!'
