"No, not to-day," Mrs. Hastings answered, struggling with her pain and embarrassment; "I could not bear it to-day, I think."
"How cruel I am while meaning to be kind! You are agitated as you ought not to be in your weak state. Shall I see you to-morrow—a professional visit, you know?"
"You will buy the mine?"—faintly, with something like a blush.
"Certainly; I swear I will—on what conditions, you know."
"On none other?"
"Shall I rob myself, not of money only, but of what is far dearer?—On none other." He rose, took her cold hand, clasped it fervently, and went away.
When Jack came home to his very meagre dinner, he brought a can of peaches, which, being opened, looked so deliciously cool and tempting that Alice could not refrain from volubly exulting over them. "But how did you get them, Jack?" she asked; "not by going into debt, I hope."
"No. I was in Scott's store, and Earle, happening to come in just as Scott was selling some, and praising them highly, paid for a can, and asked me to take them to you and get your opinion. They are splendid, by Jove!"
"I do not fancy them," said Alice, setting down her plate; "but don't tell the Doctor," she added hastily.
"You don't fancy anything, lately, Alice," Mr. Hastings replied, rather crossly.