"It is not too late yet. I will give you one final chance to save yourself."
He shook his head.
"Then I have done my duty!" She snuggled closer to him. "And you have no regrets?"
"Only one. I am sorry that I can't give you more than my name. I may have to go out into the world and begin all over if Mr. Wayland carries out his threat. I may be the poorest of the poor."
"That will be my opportunity to show how well I love you. You can be no poorer than I in this world's goods."
"You at least have your copper-mine."
"I have no mine," said the girl. "Not even the smallest interest in one."
"But—I don't understand."
She dropped her eyes. "Mr. Hilliard is a hard man to deal with. I had to give him all my share in the claims."
"I suppose you mean you sold out to him."