“My feelings have changed toward you. The more I think over that black business the less I like it. I cannot pretend to be other than I am.”
“Well, I have not come here to plead for myself to-day,” replied Leslie. “I want to help Annie Colchester. She is very poor, nearly starving; she has heard that you want a secretary.”
Mr. Parker raised his brows, and an ominous exclamation dropped from his lips.
“You must hear me out,” continued Leslie. “She knows also that you do not like her brother.”
“Scoundrel!” muttered the merchant between his teeth.
“But she is not to be held accountable for her brother’s sins.”
“Did I ever say she was?”
“No; but you act somehow as if you did. Oh, I am not going to be afraid of you, Mr. Parker. I will speak out. A brother may be wicked and a sister good and virtuous——”
“You think her good and virtuous?” interrupted the merchant.
Leslie hastily proceeded, as if she had not heard this remark.