“They are forgeries.”
“My—! Miss Hallam, do you know what you are saying?”
“I do. My brother has left England. He is ruined.”
“I told you, Page!” said Thorley, with much irritation; “but you would believe the rascal.”
Elizabeth colored painfully, and Mr. Thorley said, “You must excuse me, Miss Hallam—”
“This is not a question for politeness, but business. I will pay the bills. You know I am sole proprietor of Hallam.”
“Yes.”
“The case is this. If you suffer the notes to be protested, and the law to take its course, you will get nothing. You may punish Mr. Hallam, if you succeed in finding him; but will not the money be better for you?”
“We have duties as citizens, Miss Hallam.”
“There has been no wrong done which I cannot put right. No one knows of this wrong but ourselves. I might plead mercy for so young a man, might tell you that even justice sometimes wisely passes by a fault, might remind you of my father and the unsullied honor of an old name; yes, I might say all this, and more, but I only say, will you let me assume the debt, and pay it?”