“Then what do you mean to do?” said Harriet.
“Nothing,” replied Robina.
“Nothing?” said Harriet. “That is so like you. You mean to give up your golden chance?”
Robina folded her hands. She stood and faced Harriet.
“If I can keep straight, I will,” she said—“if by any means it is possible for me to keep straight in the company of a girl like you, I will do so. I believe, hard as it may seem, that that would be better for me in the long run even than spending a whole year with Ralph.”
“Do you indeed think so?” said Harriet. She spoke eagerly. “In that case, Robina, you can help me.”
“No,” said Robina, starting back.
“Don’t be silly,” said Harriet. “Come down this path, no one will hear us; we must talk. On board the yacht, there will be so little opportunity, but here we are alone and together. The choice lies between you and me. Now, you think you want all that Mr Durrant is about to offer, but, compared to me, you don’t want it at all. My home, compared to yours, is, oh! so rough; and my people are oh! so poor! You don’t know, perhaps, that I am supported at Mrs Burton’s school by an aunt who grudges every penny of the money she spends on me. To be educated by a man like that, to be able to live here until I am quite grown-up—oh, it would make such a difference! You don’t want these advantages as badly as I want them. Give up your chance, you have but to help me with Ralph. He loves me better than you now; you have but to say a few words to Mr Durrant, and the deed is done.”
“And what words are those?” said Robina.
“Tell him what you think about me.”