“Absolutely!” he said. “They've got me! I knew they were after me, but I didn't think they'd dare!”
He ended with a furious imprecation; but Montague had kept his eyes fixed upon Lucy. It was her suffering that he cared about.
He heard her whisper, under her breath, “It's for me!” And then again, “It's for me!”
“Lucy,” he began; but suddenly she put up her hand, and rushed toward him.
“Hush! he doesn't know!” she panted breathlessly. “I haven't told him.”
And then she turned toward Ryder again. “Oh, surely there must be some way,” she cried, wildly. “Surely—”
Ryder had sunk down in a chair and buried his face in his hands. “Ruined!” he exclaimed. “Utterly ruined! I won't have a dollar left in the world.”
“No, no,” cried Lucy, “it cannot be!” And she put her hands to her forehead, striving to think. “It must be stopped. I'll go and see him. I'll plead with him.”
“You must not, Lucy!” cried Montague, starting toward her.
But again she whirled upon him. “Not a word!” she whispered, with fierce intensity. “Not a word!”