On one of these latter days Mr. Francis came in.
"I am glad you have come to-day," said Valmai, holding out her hand. "I wanted to thank you before I left for all your kindness to me, and to ask you to continue to see Nance sometimes."
"Are you going to leave us, then?" said the young man, in a disappointed tone.
He had felt deeply interested in the girl who bore her desertion and sorrow with such patience, and had unconsciously been looking forward to a continuance of the friendship begun between them.
"You are not going away for long, I hope?"
"Yes, for long; possibly for ever, except for a hasty visit to Nance sometimes I shall trust her to you, Mr. Francis, and I hope you will be as kind to her as you have been to me."
"Certainly I will; but do not talk of kindness. It has been a great privilege to me, and a pleasure to know you, and I hope in the future if I can be of any service to you, you will let me know."
Valmai took out her purse nervously, she hesitated to speak of remuneration to this kind friend.
"You are not going to wound me," he said, gently laying his hand on her purse, "by offering to pay me?"
"No, no," said Valmai; "only for the future, for your care of Nance."