I nodded. Then, as she was not looking at me, said—“Yes, I do.”
“But how, Anthony? How on earth can I? Everything is mixed now.”
“I know,” said I. “But I've been thinking that out. We can do it.”
“Yes,” said she; “but don't you see—”
It was not becoming easier. So I broke out with my conclusions:
“In its essentials, dear, our plan is not changed at all.”
“That's absurd, Anthony!”
“No. What has happened has merely deferred the payment of that money. Ultimately it will have to come to you. Something, surely. I will advance it.” She moved restlessly. I hurried on. “You will give me your note and an assignment of your claim on the estate. I—I will charge you interest, Heloise. It will be perfectly businesslike. These things are done every day. Really.”
It was no good talking on. She had turned her face away, and, under pretext of resting it on her hand, was hiding it from me. I forgot what she had said about not leaving her again, and stumbled out of the compartment and went back to Hindmann.
I did not return until he told me that we were approaching the outskirts of Peking.