"I will have none of it!" I cried; "none of it." So saying, I rose to leave the room.
"Do you wish me to render you any further service, Mistress Molesworth?" I continued hastily, "Have you any commands for me?"
"Do you mean to say," she asked quietly, "that you will not use to your advantage the means you have obtained in order to——"
I interrupted her rudely, for truly I was sore distraught.
"Think not too badly of me," I cried. "I am mean enough, God knows; but being in the company of a good woman has taught me what a man ought to be. No, no. I am a beggar—a beggar I will remain until I win my fortune honourably. Tell me what I can do to serve you?"
"Nothing," she replied, coldly, I thought.
"You will stay here, then?"
"Yes," she replied slowly; "seeing that Mr. Trevisa is so hospitably inclined, I will remain during the night."
"Many nights, my fair lady," cried old Peter gaily. "Treviscoe is very fair demesne, and when my son comes back to-morrow he will make it very pleasant for you. Ah! Roger knows that it is our joy to help all those who are sorrowful or oppressed."
"And is it your desire that I should leave you here?" I asked almost bitterly.