"In the first place, those two notes of yours must be paid when they fall due. After that I shall act—as appears advisable."
Florence sat down with relief in her face.
"Raising the money will be another difficulty," she said. "I will give up my allowance until it is paid off."
"That," replied Hunter, with undiminished dryness, "will no doubt have to be done."
He turned away from her and leaned heavily on the balustrade for a minute or two, apparently watching the hired men toiling among his ruined wheat. Then he slowly looked around again.
"Well," he observed, "I'm glad you have told me about the thing; but I'm somewhat surprised that you didn't realize that you could have disarmed Nevis—and freed yourself—by mentioning it earlier."
"I was ashamed—though there was in one sense no reason why I should be. It would have looked—so suggestive."
Hunter interrupted her with a little bitter laugh.
"No; when I asked you what interest you took in Nevis it wasn't quite what I meant. I merely thought your answer might throw some light on his views, which I wanted to be sure of. You are too dispassionate, and too much alive to your own benefit, to make much of a sacrifice for the sake of any man."
Florence winced at this, but she rose and laid her hand on his arm.