Of course I am now speaking in the
roughest outline. I should have to get trustworthy advice;
complete and detailed estimates would be submitted to you. At
present I merely suggest to you this form of investment.'
He watched her face eagerly, greedily. When Marian's eyes rose to
his he looked away.
'Then, of course,' she said, 'you don't expect me to give any
decided answer.'
'Of course not--of course not. I merely put before you the chief
advantages of such an investment. As I am a selfish old fellow,
I'll talk about the benefit to myself first of all. I should be
editor of the new review; I should draw a stipend sufficient to
all my needs--quite content, at first, to take far less than
another man would ask, and to progress with the advance of the
periodical. This position would enable me to have done with mere
drudgery; I should only write when I felt called to do so--when
the spirit moved me.' Again he laughed, as though desirous of
keeping his listener in good humour. 'My eyes would be greatly
spared henceforth.'
He dwelt on that point, waiting its effect on Marian.
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