"Then it is time to put his ill-gotten wealth to good account! I am astonished, Mr. Denton, that you should wish him to retain it!"
Faith's eyes were fairly blazing now, but the look of admiration only deepened upon young Denton's features.
There was a cry from little Dick in the kitchen just then, and Mrs. Marvin rose hastily and excused herself to go to him.
"Miss Marvin," urged the young man, "don't be harsh in your judgment, please! Remember I have been used to luxury all my life. My mother has been used to it—we cannot bear to lose it."
He bent toward the young girl as he said the words, and as Faith saw the eagerness in his face, a great wave of pity surged up within her.
He was thoughtless, even wicked, but he was not altogether to blame. The very luxury that he craved was responsible for it.
"I would like to help you if I could," she said very gently, "but you surely would not have me go against my own conscience."
"No, I don't know that I would," said young Denton slowly, "for if you did you would not be what you are just now, the embodiment of all that is best and sweetest in woman."