“Oh Leopoldina!” she murmured.
After a pause she added,—
“I know it; he told Mendonça he would. You know they are inseparable. He said he would give you anything you asked of him. He said so more than once.”
“How horrible!” exclaimed Luiza, with sudden indignation. “And you propose such a thing to me?” And she looked at Leopoldina with frowning brow and flashing eyes. To receive money from a man! She took off her hat hastily, and with trembling hand threw it on the jardinière, and began to walk with agitated steps up and down the room.
“I would rather run away, hide myself in a convent, be a servant and sweep the streets!”
“Don’t get excited, child. What are you thinking? Perhaps he would lend you the money without interest.”
“Do you think so?”
Leopoldina did not answer, but with bent head began to turn the rings on her fingers round and round.
“It would be a conto de reis,—two; you would be saved, and you might then be happy.”
Luiza gave a shudder of indignation at these words, perhaps at her own thoughts!