“Oh, no, thank you. Mr Hallam is much better, and Julie is happiest with Thisbe.”
“Or Mr Bayle,” said Miss Heathery; “but I have not seen her with him lately. Oh, I forgot, he has gone to London.”
“Indeed!” said Millicent, starting, for she connected his absence with her husband’s trouble.
“Yes; gone two, three days; but, Millicent dear, may I speak to you plainly?”
“Of course. Tell me,” said Millicent smiling, and feeling amused as she anticipated some confidence respecting an engagement.
“And you are sure you will not feel hurt?”
“Trust me, I shall not,” said Millicent, with her old grave smile.
“Well then, my dear,” whispered the visitor, “it is about money matters. You know I have none in the bank now, because I bought a couple of houses, but I have been asking, and I find that I can borrow some money on the security, and I thought—there! I knew you would feel hurt.”
For Millicent’s eyes had begun to dilate, and she drew back from her visitor.
“I only meant to say that I could not help knowing you—that Mr Hallam kept you—oh! I don’t know how to say it, Millicent dear, but—but if you would borrow some money of me, dear, it would make me so very happy.”