Algernon Blackwood

“ Are you selfish enough to tempt the girl to lose her fortune? Don’t you know that money is one’s only real friend in this world and that⁠—”
Mark Lister had a good deal of self-control, but he interrupted here.
“Lady Hester,” he said, quietly but firmly, “I have come here to make a formal demand for your ward’s hand. If you disapprove of me as her husband, and will kindly tell me so plainly, I shall then feel free ask her if she will have me without your consent. If she prefers her fortune I shall know how to value her love. ”

“ I think you are fitted for a better⁠—a bigger career than I could hope to give you. Besides, I love my profession, and could not allow myself to think further than this: that I love you, and I want you to know it. ”

“ Hence, as we have said, she was going to the ball without the enthusiasm of the illusioned young girl. There was, however, one man she hoped to see there. Mark Lister had never paid her a compliment or shown the least desire to make love. She had always liked and respected him and, though he made no sign, her intuition persuaded her that it was a mutual liking, and that it was her money that made him keep aloof.
The ball commenced at ten, but it was considerably after midnight when Mark Lister entered the room.
He was an engineer; good-looking, big, strong, but with only his pay to live on. ”