"Poor padre! Better if he had. But madre must not know it now."
"She must. We have no choice."
"Why?"
"Life will be changed to us all. Everything will have to be given up."
"Not the Grange! Not college for you!"
"Everything."
"Oh, I am so sorry. I do mind that."
Fulvia sat looking at him, tears in her eyes.
"But madre need not know," she repeated. "Madre must not know—all. Not that he was to blame, I mean—if he was to blame. Only that there have been losses, and that we shall all be poor together. You must not let her think anybody can find fault with him. It would almost kill her."
Nigel's face was hidden again. How could he say that other thing which had to be said? How put matters right between this noble-hearted girl and himself? Tell her first that her guardian—his father!—had recklessly made away with her money committed to his trust!—then tell her that the dying words of Albert Browning were false; that he loved another, and could not make up to her for the loss, could not offer himself in place of her wealth—even though he had too good reason to fear that she cared for him as for no other human being!