“Who told you John Penelles said such a thing? I do not believe it.”
“Priscilla Mohun. He said it to her.”
“Ah! He would not say it to Denasia. And it would not be a bad place to study. I should soon be a favourite with the fishers. I know how to get around that class of people, and I am fond of the sea and could spend a month very comfortably there. Cigars make any place comfortable.”
“You are talking simple nonsense, Roland. You know it, too. Penelles would not endure your presence five minutes.”
“I have done his daughter no harm.”
“He believes that you have ruined her immortal soul. You are the devil incarnate to John Penelles. He would not let you put your foot in his cottage. And he is not a man to trifle with. He knocked Jacob Trenager down, and the man goes lame ever since, they say.”
“I am not going in his way to be knocked down. It is absolutely necessary, both for Denas and myself, to be near London. If we had the means I would go to Broadstairs or perhaps Hastings.”
“Do you want to ask me for money, Roland? If so, be man enough to ask me plainly.”
“Yes, I want money, Elizabeth. I want you to give it to me. I have not troubled you for a long time, have I? All my life long I have come to you for money, and you never yet refused me. My dear sister, I remember that you once sold a brooch for me when we were both children.” He kissed her and was silent, and Elizabeth’s face was wet with tears.