“No, sir; I have enough in bills on my person, and some in bank if I needed more; and I hold Mr. Legare’s munificent check for those drawings. I need nothing, Mr. W——, but your belief in my honor and truth—your kind sympathy.”
“You have both, dear Miss Hattie—both to the fullest extent. Go, and Heaven shield and bless you. You will surely return?”
“Yes, and take my place here, no matter what occurs. Here will I stay until you return from California, and the result of your mission is made known to me.”
“Thank you, Miss Hattie. I will not detain you longer, for you will have but little time for preparation and to reach the boat. This evening I will go to Mr. Legare’s, and simply explain that you were called away by the sickness of a relative.”
“Thank you; that will be enough. Tell them I will go to see them when I return.”
A grasp of the hand, a tearful good-by, and the honest, noble man, the pure, truthful woman, were apart—he standing gloomily alone in his office, she on her way, walking fast, toward her boarding-house.
Entering that, she found Biddy, Marguerite, and Miss Scrimp all in the kitchen.
She handed Miss Scrimp the amount of her board for the week, then giving her the additional dollar for her silk dress, she said:
“I pay my part of the proposed subscription for the silk dress, Miss Scrimp.” Then turning to Biddy Lanigan, she said: “You have always been very good to me, Biddy. Here is a five dollar bill for you to use as you choose.”
“Long life an’ more power to ye, ye born angel!” cried Biddy; “who could help bein’ kind to the likes o’ you? Sure there’s not a lady in the land can hold her head higher than your own.”