Lady Jim sat very upright in her chair, and a becoming colour heightened her beauty.
"I don't ask any men for money," she declared; "you know perfectly well, Lady Canvey, that I am any honest woman."
"And how dull that sounds," chuckled Lady Canvey, turning the tables; "you should be more original, Leah."
"I don't mind going out to dinner with a man," cried Lady Jim, feeling herself much aggrieved, "nor do I mind a box at the theatre, or some gloves or things of that sort, so long as Jim doesn't object.'
"Pooh! Much you care for Jim."
"I do. Jim's got a temper. He told me this very morning he'd screw my neck if I broke loose."
"Then I respect him for saying it," said Lady Canvey, energetically; "and I'd respect him still more if he did it."
"That's what I said to him," retorted Leah, grimly. "All the same, I am straight enough. No one can say a word against me."
"I'm glad to hear it. You have your good points, Leah," observed Lady Canvey, in a more kindly tone; "but you show your worst side to the world. Why not turn over a new leaf?"
"I'm just about to do so, and there's bankruptcy on the other side, unless you help us, dear godmother," she ended coaxingly.