Spenser Churchill put up his white hand to his lips to hide the smile of satisfaction her words called up on them.
“No?” he said, thoughtfully and significantly. “Yes, I understand! I quite understand, and I must say I think your decision is a wise one. It was different while your guardian was alive, to watch over you and protect you! You, great as your success has been, I think you are right in your resolve to leave the profession.”
“I shall never go back,” she said, quietly.
“Then, forgive me, may I ask what you intend doing?”
Doris let her eyes fall upon him almost vacantly for a moment. She had been lost in the memory of those few happy days and nights, and had almost forgotten his presence.
“What I intend doing? Oh, I don’t know! I have not thought,” she said, and her white hand went to her brow.
“I understand! I understand! and fully sympathize, my dear young lady, but, as your friend—you know you have allowed me to be your friend—it is my duty to ask you! This sum of money, alas, will soon take to itself wings, and——”
Doris roused herself.
“And I must still live, and eat, even after it is gone, you would say,” she said, not bitterly, but, ah, so wearily. “Yes, I know!”
“You could earn a large sum on the stage, of course,” he murmured.