Frank turned towards the beautiful girl who spoke so impulsively, and he could not help feeling that it would indeed be a pleasure to travel in her society. I don't mean to represent him as in love, for at his age that would be foolish; but he had never had a sister, and it seemed to him that he would have been glad to have such a sister as Beatrice. But how could he, with less than forty sous to defray his traveling expenses, join the party of a wealthy London merchant? Had he the money that rightfully belonged to him, now in Sharpley's hands, there would have been no difficulty.
"You hesitate," said Mr. Grosvenor. "Perhaps it would interfere with your plans to go with us."
"No, sir; it is not that," and Frank hesitated again.
It was an embarrassing moment, but he decided quickly to make the merchant acquainted with his circumstances.
"If you will favor me with five minutes' private conversation," he said, "I will tell you why I hesitate."
"Certainly," said Mr. Grosvenor, politely, and led the way into the hotel.
The nature of Frank's explanation is, of course, anticipated by the reader. He related, as briefly as possible, the particulars of Sharpley's plot. The merchant listened with surprise.
"This is certainly a singular story," he said, "and you have been treated with the blackest treachery. Do you know, or do you guess, what has become of this man?"
"I don't know. I think he has started to return to America, or will do so soon."