“I ought to have told you, Elizabeth. I did behave badly to you. I am ashamed of myself. Forgive me, darling sister.” And he pulled his chair to her side, and put his arm around her neck, and kissed her with no simulated affection. For he would indeed have been heartless had he been insensible to the true love which softened every tone in Elizabeth’s voice and made her handsome face shine with tender interest and unselfish solicitude.
“I ought to have told you, Elizabeth. I believe you are noble enough to have accepted Denas for my sake.”
“I am not, Roland. Nothing could have made me accept her. I have taken a personal dislike to her. I am sure that I cannot even do her justice.”
“She has been very ill. She is still very weak. I have been unable to get her all the comforts she ought to have had––unable to take her to the sea-side, though the doctor told me it was an imperative necessity. We have been very poor, but not unhappy.”
“I understood she was making a great deal of money with her trashy, vulgar little songs.”
“She was until she fell ill. And whatever her songs are, they have been very much admired.”
“By her own class. And you let her sing for your living! I am amazed at you, Roland!”
“I do not see why. You wanted me to marry Caroline Burrell and let her support me out of the money old Burrell worked for. Denas loves me, and the money she gives me is given with love. Old Burrell never saw me, and if he had I am quite sure he would have hated me and despised me as a fortune-hunter. Denas is a noble little darling. She has never inferred, either by word or look, that she sang for my living. It took you to do that, Elizabeth. Besides, I help Denas to make money. I arrange her business and I play her accompaniments, and, as I said, I love her and she loves me. Why, I have done without cigars to buy medicines for her; and if that isn’t a proof of my devotion, I do not know how to give one! I can tell you that Mademoiselle Denasia is a great favourite with everyone.”
“Mademoiselle Denasia!” cried Elizabeth with the utmost scorn. “Mademoiselle! and Denasia! However, she might well change her name.”