Dorothy was surprised at the outburst from Madge, and kneeled by her side.
"We may both help Cousin Malcolm," she said.
"No, no," responded Madge, angrily. "Your jewels are more than enough. He would have no need of my poor offering."
I took Madge's hand and said, "I shall accept help from no one but you, Madge; from no one but you."
"I will go to our rooms for your box," said Dorothy, who had begun to see the trouble. "I will fetch it for you."
"No, I will fetch it," answered Madge. She arose, and I led her to the foot of the staircase. When she returned she held in her hands a purse and a little box of jewels. These she offered to me, but I took only the purse, saying: "I accept the purse. It contains more money than I shall need. From its weight I should say there are twenty gold pounds sterling."
"Twenty-five," answered Madge. "I have saved them, believing that the time might come when they would be of great use to me. I did not know the joy I was saving for myself."
Tears came to my eyes, and Dorothy wept silently.
"Will you not take the jewels also?" asked Madge.
"No," I responded; "the purse will more than pay my expenses to France, where I have wealthy relatives. There I may have my mother's estate for the asking, and I can repay you the gold. I can never repay your kindness."