“In short, dear John,” said Bella, “this is the topic of my lecture: I want nothing on Earth, and I want you to believe it.”

“If that’s all, the lecture may be considered over, for I do.”

“It’s not all, John dear,” Bella hesitated. “It’s only Firstly. There’s a dreadful Secondly, and a dreadful Thirdly to come⁠—as I used to say to myself in sermon-time when I was a very small-sized sinner at church.”

“Let them come, my dearest.”

“Are you sure, John dear; are you absolutely certain in your innermost heart of hearts⁠—?”

“Which is not in my keeping,” he rejoined.

“No, John, but the key is.⁠—Are you absolutely certain that down at the bottom of that heart of hearts, which you have given to me as I have given mine to you, there is no remembrance that I was once very mercenary?”