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and whom； of all others； in spite of her living so near him； he
might have never fallen in with but for a happy accident。
When people get it into their heads that they are being specially
favoured by the Almighty； they had better as a general rule mind
their p's and q's； and when they think they see the devil's drift
with more special clearness； let them remember that he has had much
more experience than they have； and is probably meditating mischief。
Already during supper the thought that in Ellen at last he had found
a woman whom he could love well enough to wish to live with and
marry had flitted across his mind； and the more they had chatted the
more reasons kept suggesting themselves for thinking that what might
be folly in ordinary cases would not be folly in his。
He must marry someone； that was already settled。 He could not marry
a lady； that was absurd。 He must marry a poor woman。 Yes； but a
fallen one？ Was he not fallen himself？ Ellen would fall no more。
He had only to look at her to be sure of this。 He could not live
with her in sin； not for more than the shortest time that could
elapse before their marriage； he no longer believed in the
supernatural element of Christianity； but the Christian morality at
any rate was indisputable。 Besides； they might have children； and a
stigma would rest upon them。 Whom had he to consult but himself
now？ His father and mother never need know； and even if they did；
they should be thankful to see him married to any woman who would
make him happy as Ellen would。 As for not being able to afford
marriage； how did poor people do？ Did not a good wife rather help
matters than not？ Where one could live two could do so； and if
Ellen was three or four years older than he waswell； what was
that？
Have you； gentle reader； ever loved at first sight？ When you fell
in love at first sight； how long； let me ask； did it take you to
become ready to fling every other consideration to the winds except
that of obtaining possession of the loved one？ Or rather； how long
would it have taken you if you had had no father or mother； nothing
to lose in the way of money； position； friends； professional
advancement； or what not； and if the object of your affections was
as free from all these impedimenta as you were yourself？
If you were a young John Stuart Mill； perhaps it would have taken
you some time； but suppose your nature was Quixotic； impulsive；
altruistic； guileless； suppose you were a hungry man starving for
something to love and lean upon； for one whose burdens you might
bear； and who might help you to bear yours。 Suppose you were down
on your luck； still stunned by a horrible shock； and this bright
vista of a happy future floated suddenly before you； how long under
these circumstances do you think you would reflect before you would
decide on embracing what chance had thrown in your way？
It did not take my hero long； for before he got past the ham and
beef shop near the top of Fetter Lane； he had told Ellen that she
must come home with him and live with him till they could get
married； which they would do upon the first day that the law
allowed。
I think the devil must have chuckled and made tolerably sure of his
game this time。
CHAPTER LXXII
Ernest told Ellen of his difficulty about finding employment。
〃But what do you think of going into a shop for； my dear；〃 said
Ellen。 〃Why not take a little shop yourself？〃
Ernest asked how much this would cost。 Ellen told him that he might
take a house in some small street； say near the 〃Elephant and
Castle；〃 for 17s。 or 18s。 a week； and let off the two top floors for
10s。； keeping the back parlour and shop for themselves。 If he could
raise five or six pounds to buy some second…hand clothes to stock
the shop with； they could mend them and clean them； and she could
look after the women's clothes while he did the men's。 Then he
could mend and make； if he could get the orders。
They could soon make a business of 2 pounds a week in this way； she
had a friend who began like that and had now moved to a better shop；
where she made 5 pounds or 6 pounds a week at leastand she； Ellen；
had done the greater part of the buying and selling herself。
Here was a new light indeed。 It was as though he had got his 5000
pounds back again all of a sudden； and perhaps ever so much more
later on into the bargain。 Ellen seemed more than ever to be his
good genius。
She went out and got a few rashers of bacon for his and her
breakfast。 She cooked them much more nicely than he had been able
to do； and laid breakfast for him and made coffee； and some nice
brown toast。 Ernest had been his own cook and housemaid for the
last few days and had not given himself satisfaction。 Here he
suddenly found himself with someone to wait on him again。 Not only
had Ellen pointed out to him how he could earn a living when no one
except himself had known how to advise him； but here she was so
pretty and smiling； looking after even his comforts； and restoring
him practically in all respects that he much cared about to the
position which he had lostor rather putting him in one that he
already liked much better。 No wonder he was radiant when he came to
explain his plans to me。
He had some difficulty in telling all that had happened。 He
hesitated； blushed； hummed and hawed。 Misgivings began to cross his
mind when he found himself obliged to tell his story to someone
else。 He felt inclined to slur things over； but I wanted to get at
the facts； so I helped him over the bad places； and questioned him
till I had got out pretty nearly the whole story as I have given it
above。
I hope I did not show it； but I was very angry。 I had begun to like
Ernest。 I don't know why； but I never have heard that any young man
to whom I had become attached was going to get married without
hating his intended instinctively； though I had never seen her； I
have observed that most bachelors feel the same thing； though we are
generally at some pains to hide the fact。 Perhaps it is because we
know we ought to have got married ourselves。 Ordinarily we say we
are delightedin the present case I did not feel obliged to do
this； though I made an effort to conceal my vexation。 That a young
man of much promise who was heir also to what was now a handsome
fortune； should fling himself away upon such a person as Ellen was
quite too provoking； and the more so because of the unexpectedness
of the whole affair。
I begged him not to marry Ellen yetnot at least until he had known
her for a longer time。 He would not hear of it； he had given his
word； and if he had not given it he should go and give it at once。
I had hitherto found him upon most matters singularly docile and
easy to manage； but on this point I could do nothing with him。 His
recent victory over his father and mother had increased his
strength； and I was nowhere。 I would have told him of his true
position； but I knew very well that this would only make him more
bent on having his own wayfor with so much money why should he not
please himself？ I said nothing； therefore； on this head； and yet
all that I could urge