An icy, long-drawn "Indeed!" was the only reply.
So really after an acquaintanceship of scarcely a week, this man dared to approach her with his proposals, in spite of her distant demeanour, her plainly shown aversion. In spite of all he would try to complete the business contract which gave him the hand of the rich heiress, and still worse, with an easy assurance as if undeniably in the right.
"I have a petition to offer," he began afresh, "a petition which, by granting you will make me for ever your debtor."
Miss Clifford looked as if carved out of stone, and her manner left no doubt that she had not the slightest intention of placing him "for ever in her debt." She summoned all her energies together to meet the approaching emergency with the necessary decision.
Gustave paid not the least attention to her, and continued with his usual genial smile--
"It concerns a young countrywoman of mine!"
"A--young countrywoman?" repeated Jessie, astonished to the last degree at the unexpected turn which the conversation had taken.
"Yes, a young German who came over in the same ship with me. She was going quite alone to a relative in New York, who had offered the orphan a home with him. On landing, however, she learnt that he had died a few days before, and the poor child found herself quite unprotected and forsaken in the New World."
"You took charge of her," remarked Jessie, with a certain sharpness.
"Certainly; I took her to a German family, where she could be received for a few days. But she cannot stay there long, and it must be a very difficult thing for a girl of scarcely sixteen, and without an introduction, to find a situation as governess or companion. Here in this town it might be more feasible, especially if a well-known house such as yours undertook to introduce her. My petition is this, will you receive this young girl for a few weeks as a guest till something may be found for her?"