“I could give the last shilling I had to you, Roland,” she said, “but it is hard to ask me to rob myself for that woman.”
“She is my wife. I want her to get strong and well. She is a comfort and a pleasure to me. You were always glad to give me money for my comforts and pleasures. You never before asked me what they were or said: ‘You cannot have money for such or such a purpose.’ You gave me money for whatever I wanted. Now I want Denas.”
“Mademoiselle Denasia!”
“Well, then, Denasia. I want Denasia as I want my cigars or any other pleasant thing in life. Does it matter to you, if the money makes me happy, how I spend it?”
“If you put the question in that light I do not suppose it does matter.” Then after a moment’s pause: “Every shilling will be a coal of fire upon Mademoiselle Denasia’s head. There is nothing wrong in that consideration––it is perfectly Christian.”
“I should say it was perfectly unchristian; but, then, I am only a sinner. However, Elizabeth, if you can help me to get Denasia to the sea-side the 192 action will be a good one, and we need not go about to question the motives for it. I think one hundred pounds will keep us until Denasia is able to sing again or I get an engagement as Romeo. I shall make up splendidly as Romeo. You must come and see me, Elizabeth.”
“Not for anything in life! And one hundred pounds is a large sum of money. I cannot afford it.”
“But, Elizabeth, I must have one hundred. I need every penny of it. I cannot do with less. Give me one hundred, Elizabeth.”
“I tell you it will trouble me very much to spare a hundred pounds. It will indeed, Roland.”
But Roland stuck to the idea of one hundred pounds, and finally Elizabeth gave way before his entreaties. She looked at the handsome fellow and sighed hopelessly. She said, “I will give it to you, and do as you wish with it.” Why should she now look for consideration from her brother? He had never yet reached higher ground than “I want;” and to expect Roland to look beyond himself was to expect the great miracle that never comes.