“Nay, ’tis that I held you a lad of good parts, in spite of your running after these strange gods. That you have dealt so courteously by little Mistress Campion shows you are not all lost yet. But take heed to the associates you keep.”
Hugh felt a guilty hotness in his face, but, bracing himself, he listened with respect to all his uncle had to say farther in the same strain, and, when he had done, he replied honestly, “I thank you, sir; methinks you mean all kindly.”
So he took his leave, and turned away to summon Garrett; then remembered, and with a downcast look hesitated back to Millington. “An’t like you, uncle,” he faltered, “I am ashamed to ask it, but I have had to borrow money to provide for Lois, and I promised this fellow of mine reward for aiding me. And I have no money.”
“Eh? How do you live, then, sir?”
“I had some. I lost it at dice,” Hugh admitted shamefacedly. “On my honor, I never will again.”
There was an instant’s pause, then Millington said more coldly, “I’ll pay the man,” and led the way from the house. Hugh, following behind like a chidden child, saw his uncle go to Garrett, who waited with the horses just outside the gate, and saw him fee the trooper; by the man’s face he guessed it was done liberally, but he knew the fact that the money came from another’s hand must always lower him in the fellow’s eyes.
Dreading to meet the trooper’s curious look, he was lingering an instant on the garden walk, feigning to adjust his boot-tops, when he heard behind him some one call his name. He would not look up till there came a touch on his arm, and he must raise his eyes to meet Lois’s gaze. “I wanted to thank you, Hugh,” she said gently.
“You need not.”
“And I wanted to ask your pardon, if I hurt you. Truly, I will never believe you have done anything that is base, whatever they say. Prithee, forgive me, Hugh.”
“I should ask you to forgive it that I was so surly,” he hesitated. “And—and next time I meet you, Lois, I’ll have mended my manners, so you need not be dismayed. Farewell now.” He looked her frankly in the eyes as he spoke, then bent a little and kissed her hand.