"Poor Kate! She little knows what her refusal means. It is plain enough, that if it is 'no' to-morrow from her, it will be beggary the next day for us. Beggary! Beggary! The place will not bring a penny more than the mortgages—and what can I do! An old man like myself can get no employment, and I have not fifty—no, not twenty pounds in my possession! My God! What shall I do? I can't ask the poor girl to marry the man—to sell herself, if she dislikes him."
Hall returned to the library just then, and after taking a book from the case, said:
"Suppose you come up to my room, Mr. Stafford? I have some fine old port I should like you to try, and as the ladies are out you might as well spend an hour with me as not."
Mr. Stafford did not care particularly where he went or what he did that night, and went up-stairs with Hall.
The latter was mistaken in saying the ladies were out. Scarcely had they left the room when Kate, looking very pale and troubled, but also very determined, made her appearance between the curtains of the large bay-window, where she usually spent her afternoons reading. It was her favorite spot, and fitted up specially for her use.
"Poor papa!" she murmured, "you need not worry if my consent to marry Mr. Hall will save you."
CHAPTER V.
Kate did not make her appearance next day until breakfast was over. Just as she came down, Hall entered the library with a paper—Kate followed. She was very pale, but looked very determined.
"Mr. Hall," she said, toying nervously with a paper-cutter, "I have reconsidered the offer which you made me yesterday, and, if you still wish it, I am willing to—to—" (the paper-cutter snapped in two) "to become your wife."