“I would have undeceived you if I had known of this delusion of yours,” he said kindly.

“Do I owe you everything—everything?” said the girl, dropping her hands and fixing her glittering eyes on him.

He bowed gravely.

“And you have thought me extravagant, I dare say.”

“That is hardly a fair question,” he said, with an approving glance at her fur-lined jacket and richly trimmed gown. “I wished you to dress like a lady.”

“A lady!” repeated the girl bitterly, “yes; a fine lady. Now I shall have to support myself.”

“Why so?”

“I am grown up now. You have given me a good education. I shall take no more favors from you.”

“Why not?”

“Because I am too proud to be dependent.”