“Yes, my dear.”
“Well, I have come to-night to say that it is in my power to use some of that money which I detest in helping Prissie—in helping her family. I mean to help them; I mean to put them all in such a position that Priscilla shall not need to spend her youth in uncongenial drudgery. I have come to say this to you, Miss Heath, and I beg of you—yes, I beg of you—to induce my dear Prissie to go on with her classical studies. It will now be in your power to assure her that the necessity which made her obliged to give them up no longer exists.”
“In short,” said Miss Heath, “you will give Miss Peel of your charity, and take her independence away?”
“What do you mean?”
“Put yourself in her place, Maggie. Would you take money for yourself and those dear to you from a comparative stranger?”
Maggie’s face grew very red. “I think I would oblige my friend, my dear friend,” she said.
“Is Prissie really your dear friend?”
“Why do you doubt me? I love her very much. Since—since Annabel died, no one has come so close to me.”
“I am glad of that,” replied Miss Heath. She went up to Maggie and kissed her.
“You will do what I wish?” asked the girl, eagerly.