"But it's so, dear."
"Oh, no."
"No, dear,—I can guess and sympathize. But I shall never have any such happiness. It's—it's quite settled."
Madeleine left her seat, went round by the side of the other girl, flung herself down on the floor, and looked as if she were about to cry. "Oh, Jane, you mustn't feel so. Why shouldn't you marry?"
"I can't, dear; I've debts of my father's to pay, and I'm pledged to my Order."
"But they'll get paid after a while."
"It will take all my youth."
"But a way can be found?"
"No way can ever be. There is no one in the wide world to help me. I'm quite alone."
"Why, Jane," said Madeleine, always kneeling and always looking up, "I know some one who can manage everything, and you do, too."