Mrs. Fleming chatted on indifferent subjects a while longer, then cautiously led up to the subject nearest her heart, and presently blurted it all out to her silent, startled listener.
It was a shock to him certainly—a greater shock than she had foreboded.
He reeled under it, turning so pale that she was frightened, and exclaimed:
“Oh, Royall, forgive me for telling you! but I could not bear the burden any longer.”
His face was ghastly, but he answered sadly:
“I am not finding fault with you, Lutie; it’s too late for that; and the burden must have been heavy on your conscience as well as your purse. But you must not have that expense any longer.”
“You mean you will help to bear the expense of their extortions—that we cannot put the wretches off?”
“No; we dare not incense them. It is worth the whole of my fortune to keep this thing from Daisie. The Cullens must be paid to keep the secret still. When they come again, draw on me for the amount of their demands; and you must let me reimburse you, Lutie, for all you have spent.”
“You are very generous, Royall.”
“No, only just; for, as you say, I am the only one who profited by your treachery. It won sweet Daisie for me, my peerless wife. Ah, Lutie, you do not dream how madly I love her, and how I dream of winning her love in return when I get well!”