She looked at him tremulously. "I don't ask you to give it up. You'll have to decide that for yourself."
"Don't you see I can't give it up? If I do, I lose you. How can I take care of you without money?"
"I'd do my best, Jack."
"You don't understand. It would be for years--until I had made another start. I wouldn't let you give up everything unless I had something to offer. I wouldn't consider it."
"Isn't that putting pride before love, Jack? You know I have a little money of my own. We could live--in very decent poverty. I would love to feel that we were fighting ... together. We both know you'll win in the end. Wouldn't it be fine to work out your success in partnership? Dear, I'd rather marry you while you're still a poor man."
For a moment the vision of it tempted him, but he put the dream away. "No. It won't do. Of course I'm going to win out in the end, but it might take a dozen years to set me on Easy street. For a woman brought up as you have been poverty is hell."
"Then you think I'm only a doll," she flashed. "You want to put me back in that hot-house you mentioned. I'm just an ornament to dress up and look at and play with."
"I think you're a little tinder-box," he said, smiling ruefully.
"Don't you see how it is with me, Jack? I've always craved life. I've wanted to take hold of it with both hands and without gloves. But they would never let me. I've got my chance now ... if you really love me more than you do your pride and your money. I want to live close to the people--as you do."
"What did that suit cost you?" he asked abruptly.
"Don't remember. Twenty-five pounds, maybe. Why?"
"One hundred twenty dollars, say. And you need dozens of dresses in a season. I'll make a guess that it takes five thousand a year to clothe you. That is nearly twice as much as I'll earn altogether next year if I throw away my stake."
She waved his argument aside. "Stupid boy! I have dresses enough to last me for five years--if you'll let me be that poor man's wife. I can make them over myself later and still be the best dressed woman in camp."
From above came Captain Kilmeny's shout. "We telephoned down. The engineer has the trouble arranged."
The cable began to move.
"When shall I see you alone again, Moya?" Jack demanded.
"I don't know."
"I'm going to see you. We've got to fight this out. I'll not let Lady Farquhar keep me from seeing you alone. It's serious business."