It was necessary that she should answer him;—­and to her it was only natural that she should think what answer would best assist her own views without reference to his.  It did not occur to her that she could love him; but it did occur to her that he might lift her out of her difficulties.  What a benefit it would be to her to have a father, and such a father, for Felix!  How easy would be a literary career to the wife of the editor of the ‘Morning Breakfast Table!’ And then it passed through her mind that somebody had told her that the man was paid L3,000 a year for his work.  Would not the world, or any part of it that was desirable, come to her drawing-room if she were the wife of Mr Broune...