"May I ask," he said after some moments' silence, "if he be well?"
"He is well."
"Blind still?"
"Yes."
"May I ask you, as his friend, let me say, if his means be adequate to his support?"
"Ah! you have come to ask him that—to see that for yourself?"
"Not exactly—it is one of many reasons."
"Keep that from him, then," cried Mattie; "spare him that humiliation."
"Why humiliation, Miss?"
"It is humiliation, it is an insult, to offer help to the man whose life you have embittered. You that have known Sidney, worked with him in your office, professed to be his friend, should have fathomed that part of his character, at least, which is based upon his pride. Sir, I doubt if he esteem you very much, but he will certainly hate you if you talk of money."