"But in less than a week this miserable debt must be paid!"
"Then pay it!"
Robert smiled bitterly.
"How? by ruining my aunt? Shall I ask her to sell the old homestead?"
"She would do it—she would give up the last penny rather than see you disgraced, Robert Otis!"
"How can you know this?"
"I do know it, but this is not the question. Here is money to pay your debt, I have kept it in my pocket for weeks."
Robert did not reach forth his hand to receive the roll of bank-notes held toward him, for surprise held him motionless.
"Take the money, it is the exact sum," said Jacob, in a voice that carried authority with it. "I ask no promise that you never enter another gambling hall—you never will!"
"Never!" said Robert, receiving the money; "but how—why have you done this?"