Marion looked up at his face and trembled as she read his glance.
“I—I hoped you would be able to advise me,” she said, slowly. “I know so little of the world, Mr. Lawson. Oh, can’t you think of some way to save my poor sister?”
Once more Marion’s eyes shone through her tears as she gazed up into his face. Her full lips trembled with emotion. Her face was transfused with unusual beauty.
Again the sense of her beauty flitted through Carlos Lawson’s brain, and this time he made no attempt to control it. How had he ever become enamored of pretty Dollie’s childish face when this spirited creature was constantly before him!
A dark flush mounted to his cheek and brow as he bent forward quickly and laid his hand upon Marion’s shoulder.
“I will save her, yes—on one condition,” he whispered, sharply. “I will save your sister if you will kiss me, Marion! My God, but you are beautiful. Quick, Marion—your answer!”
With a stifled scream Marion Marlowe flung his hand from her shoulder and sprang away from him. Her face paled in an instant at the insult he had offered her.
“So that is the kind of a gentleman you are,” she said, scornfully. “To try to take advantage of a girl in her misery!”
The man took a step forward, but Marion stopped him with a gesture.