“I have nothing to forgive in you, Mack.” In her eyes was a return of the warmth of love she felt, but her attitude was one of firm resolve. “I have come to you to-day because I want to tell you that just for the present we must be only good friends. I’ve been thinking all night long about you, and now that you know who you are, and what my father has done against your father–––”
“But that is all past!”
“Not for me. Father ruined your father, and has grown rich on your money. Not till every cent of that is paid back can I think of marrying you.” There was the weight of dead finality in every word.
“But, Elizabeth–––”
“Please, Mack, don’t make it harder for me than you must. This is not easy, but you will see where it is best, when you have taken time to think it over.”
“You have not talked this over with your father, or with Harold?”
“No. Father was ill last night, and Harold was so tired that he has been sleeping all day. It would make no difference what either of them might say. I am doing this because it is right.”
“You do not know of the arrangements that are to be made?”
“All I know is that Father owes you the money, and that it is yours and must be paid back to you.”