"And supposing some one gave you that, would you be contented to live in a quiet, decent way without longing to be in London or some big town?"
"Wouldn't I just? It would be just heaven to get out of it all. You don't know what my life is, or you wouldn't ask."
I suppose I was foolish, but I was heart-sick at the thought of this woman going headlong to the devil, as I have no doubt she would have done. So once more I wrote out a cheque; it was for a big enough sum for her purpose, upon the interest of which she could live, marry possibly, almost certainly, and rear splendid children, for England. I blotted the slip of paper and handed it to her, with some few pieces of gold.
"Now," I said, "when you get to England take this to some bank and explain to them what you want. They will advise you and invest it for you. Don't trust anyone else; personally, I should advise you to keep silent about possessing it. Marry some good man, and be happy, and sometimes say a prayer for the King of Rudarlia."
She took the cheque, and wide-eyed, looked at it.
"Is this for me?" she whispered. "You aren't kiddin' me, don't you want anythin' for it?"
"No; nothing beyond what I have mentioned, a prayer, when you remember it, that is all; and now I must say good-bye and good luck."
She seized my hand and wrung it.
"God bless your Majesty. I'll pray for you night and morning, I will." And then the poor girl burst into tears, sobbing as though her heart would break.
It was at this juncture that Mr. Smith returned.