"And you'd sell me to him for two hundred pounds, father?" the girl asked bitterly.
"I don't want to go to gaol."
"And if you don't get the money from Stephen, what will happen?"
"I can't tell you that to a nicety. Penal servitude for life, most likely. They'd call mine a bad case, I daresay."
"But Sir David might be merciful to you, father. You've served him for along time."
"What would he care for that? I've had his money, and he's not a man that can afford to lose much. No, Nell, I look for no mercy from Sir David; those careless easy-going men are generally the hardest in such a business as this. It's a clear case of embezzlement, and nothing can save me unless I can raise money enough to satisfy him."
"Couldn't you borrow it of some one else besides Stephen Whitelaw?"
"Who else is there that would lend me two hundred pounds? Ask yourself that, girl. Why, I haven't five pounds' worth of security to offer."
"And Mr. Whitelaw will only lend the money upon one condition?"
"No, curse him!" cried William Carley savagely. "I've been at him all this afternoon, when you and that woman were out of the room, trying to get it out of him as a loan, without waiting for your promise; but he's too cautious for that. 'The day Ellen gives her consent, you shall have the money,' he told me; 'I can't say anything fairer than that or more liberal.'"