“Yes, at first, of course. I began about the money at once, and thanked him sincerely for what he had done.”
“You were quite right; if it had not been for him there would have been no money to make you so jubilant.”
“That’s exactly what I told him. ‘Mr. Hemster’ said I, ‘if it had not been for your action I should never have got a penny.’”
“Well,” said Hilda, with a little break in her voice that went right to my heart and made me ashamed of myself, while the moisture gathered in her eyes, “and so you and Mr. Hemster at last got to me, and began to discuss me after the money question had been exhausted. Really, I suppose I should be thankful to have received so much attention. I wish I had known that gold occupied so large a space in your thoughts, and then I should have entered more accurately into particulars. I told you the amount was two or three times the face value of the stock, but it is what you say, over half a million, and now if you don’t mind I shall go downstairs for a while.”
“I do mind. I want to speak to you, Hilda.”
“I would rather not talk any more just now. If you are wise you will say nothing until I have had time to think it all over.”
“But I never claimed to be wise, Hilda. Sit down again, I beg of you. Indeed you must, I shall not let you go at this juncture.”
The flash in her eyes chased away the mist that had veiled them.
“Sir,” she cried, “you are only making matters worse. If you have any care for me, say no more until I see you again.”
“Hilda,” said I, “I can make it all right with you in five minutes. What will you bet?”