"Yes, dear. I have four hundred dollars due in the bank to-day, and every effort to obtain the sum has failed."
"What if I lend it to you?" said the young wife, looking archly into his troubled face.
"You!" he exclaimed, quickly.
"Yes, me. Would you take it as a very great favour?"
"The greatest you could do me just at this time!"
"Very well; here is the money."
And Anna drew a purse of gold from her pocket, and held it before his eyes.
"Anna! What does this mean?"
And Brainard reached his hand to grasp the welcome treasure. But she drew it away quickly, saying, as she did so,—
"Certain conditions must go with the loan."