“There is something I must confess to you before you undertake that. I have not been fair—”
I took him by both hands.
“Let us forget that. It has come between us long enough. It must not do so any longer.”
“You know—”
“I had to listen to Wealthy’s story.”
Letting go of his hands, I again tried to rise; but for the second time he drew me back.
“You are going to tell Orpha. Are you going to tell Lucy, too?”
“Miss Colfax is not in the house; she left this noon for New York.”
He stiffened where he lay. I was glad I had let go of his hands. I could affect more easily a nonchalant manner. “She has an aunt there, I believe. Is there anything you want before I go down?”
Oh, the hunger in his stare! “Nothing now, nothing but to get well. You have promised to help me and you shall.” Then as I crossed to the door, “Where have they put her? Wealthy, I mean. I ought to do something.”