Philander and I found. It was so little when I
would like to do so much, Jane. For his sake, please, never
mention it."
"But you know that we can't repay you," cried the girl.
"Why do you want to put me under such terrible obligations?"
"Don't, Jane," said Clayton sadly. "If it had been just you,
believe me, I wouldn't have done it, for I knew from the start
that it would only hurt me in your eyes, but I couldn't think
of that dear old man living in the hole we found here. Won't
you please believe that I did it just for him and give me that
little crumb of pleasure at least?"
"I do believe you, Mr. Clayton," said the girl, "because I
know you are big enough and generous enough to have done
it just for him--and, oh Cecil, I wish I might repay you as
you deserve--as you would wish."
"Why can't you, Jane?"
"Because I love another."
"Canler?"
"No."
"But you are going to marry him. He told me as much
before I left Baltimore."
The girl winced.
"I do not love him," she said, almost proudly.
"Is it because of the money, Jane?"
She nodded.
"Then am I so much less desirable than Canler? I have
money enough, and far more, for every need," he said bitterly.
"I do not love you, Cecil," she said, "but I respect you. If I
must disgrace myself by such a bargain with any man, I prefer
that it be one I already despise. I should loathe the man
to whom I sold myself without love, whomsoever he might
be.
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