“Hah! I thought so. Then look here, sir, you have been investing your money for the benefit of that poor woman and her child.”
No answer.
“Christie Bayle: do you love that woman still?”
“Sir Gordon! No; I will not be angry. Yes; as a man might love a dear sister smitten by affliction; and her child as if she were my own.”
“Hah! and you have had invested so much money—your own, for their benefit. Why have you done this?”
“I thought it was my duty towards the widow and fatherless in their affliction,” said Bayle simply; and Sir Gordon turned and peered round in the brave, honest face at his side to find it slightly flushed, but ready to meet his gaze with fearless frankness.
“Ah,” sighed Sir Gordon at last, “it was not fair.”
“Not fair?” said Bayle wonderingly.
“No, sir. You might have let me do half.”