"I would have gone West," he answered.
"Well—go West now. Go, before she comes back and has you under her influence. Go, and you will feel all the better in time."
"But it would be dishonorable to go in this way, with her money," said Edward.
"Ah! would it not be much more dishonorable to use her money to bring unhappiness to her and to yourself? And you can repay that money later—in fact, you will repay her much sooner if you go away than if you stay and go on the stage."
In his heart Edward felt that his adviser was right, and he thought he could bear the voice of Marie Louise saying, "He is right."
"I'll follow your advice," said Edward, shaking the old man's hand tenderly.
"God bless you, my boy! I feel that I have done a good act in my late days of life, and I know that you will thank the day you met me when later you think of this. Where will you go?"
"I don't know," answered Edward; trying to smile.
"I have a friend out in Montana who owns a big ranch. He is an old classmate of mine and I often go and spend the summer months with him. I will write a letter which you will take to him. He will give you something to do; it may not be very fine work, but I will guarantee that it will be healthy and conducive to happiness. Do you like horses?"
"Do I?" spoke up Edward, brightening considerably; "I should say I do."