“No; not in the least,” she answered vehemently. “I’ve told you so already. But can’t you keep to the point? My brother’s being ruined in several ways besides the debts he’s heaping up; and I’ve humbled myself to beg your help.”
“Was it so very hard?” he asked, and his voice grew soft and caressing.
She was shaken to the verge of yielding. The man was handsome, cultivated, distinguished, she thought. Whether she actually loved him, she did not know, but he could gratify her ambitions and she was strongly drawn to him. He had given her a lead, an opening for a few telling words that might go far toward the accomplishment of her wishes; but, tempted as she was, she would not utter them. She was loyal to the headstrong lad; Jim stood first with her.
“That is beside the point,” she said with a becoming air of pride. “I expected you would be willing to do whatever you could. To be refused what I plead for is new to me.”
He considered for a moment or two, watching her with keen appreciation. Bella in her present mood, with her affectations cast aside, appealed to him. She was not altogether the woman he would have chosen, but since he must secure a rich wife, there were obvious benefits to be derived from a match with her. He devoutly wished he could accede to her request.
“Well?” she broke out impatiently.
“I’m sorry,” he said; “I’m unable to do as you desire. Of course, I wish I could, if only to please you, though I really don’t think the thing’s necessary.”
“You needn’t tell me that again! It’s a waste of time; I’m not going to discuss it. Face the difficulty, whatever it is. Do you mean that you can’t warn off Batley?”
Gladwyne saw that she would insist on a definite answer and in desperation he told the truth.
“It’s out of the question.”