Rose looked at Noah, and Noah at Rose.
“I think,” said the girl, “we will ask you, Kate, to show us a light on our way presently, after you have put Jane Redmore into hers.”
“I will do so cheerfully,” answered Kitty, and went back with the lighted lantern into the kitchen to fetch Jane. Then the two passed through the room where the rest sat, and Mrs. Redmore wished them all a good-night.
Silence ensued after the door was shut. The glitter of the lantern was visible through the window for a moment, and then disappeared.
Pasco looked uneasily at the door. He was the first to break silence. “I wish you to know,” said he, “that if you marry Kitty, Noah, you do not take a beggar. On the contrary, you take an heiress.”
“How do you make that out?” asked Zerah.
“Kitty is not of my blood,” said Pasco, gaining firmness, “but I have no relations of my own, and I intend to treat Kitty as my child. Noah, you marry an heiress.”
“What will you give her?” asked Zerah.
“Great expectations,” answered Pasco pompously.
“I don’t count much on expectations,” said his wife contemptuously. “Give her something down.”