"Oh!" Gordon's face lighted.
"Yes! He has never said so, but I can feel it. I wonder if you have snatched us up in your extremity as a defense."
"Ridiculous! Your suspicions are insulting. I have nothing to fear from him, for he is broken, his credit is gone, he is in desperate straits."
"Are you in any better condition? How long can you fool your people with that pretense of a mine?"
Gordon flushed, but affected scorn. "So! Have you and Gloria begun to balance my wealth against my love? If so—"
"You know she would marry you if you were penniless."
"I hope so—and, indeed, I can't believe her mercenary. Well, I shall say good-by to Kyak, without idle regret, and we three shall return to Hope, where I can attack my problems with fresh courage. I can well afford my loss here, if by doing so I gain the woman of my desires."
"You want me to go with you?"
"Of course. You can't stay in Omar, knowing what you do about O'Neil. Remember, I shall be in the position of a father to you."
"Very well. It is the least I can do. Miss Appleton and I are returning to Omar in a few days. Will you go with us?"