He spoke emphatically, to let the man understand the purpose to which he intended his gift or loan should be applied.
“But for that wife and child, sir,” answered Mr. Conway, apparently struggling with his emotion, “could I place myself in this position? Is there any personal necessity, however imperative, that would force me to lose sight of the pride which renders starvation preferable to alms-seeking, to the gentleman born? No, sir,” he continued, with an air of injured dignity; “poor as I am, I can still recognise the claims of my birth upon my actions; and I repeat, that were it not for my wife and her little one, no affliction, however unsupportable, should oblige me to intrude even upon your benevolence.”
He paused, and seeing Holdsworth look impatient, exclaimed hurriedly:
“If ten pounds——” and stopped.
“You wish to borrow ten pounds?”
“Ah, sir, if I dare——”
“Of what service will so small a sum be to you?”
The man looked struck; Holdsworth had expected to hear a larger sum named, he thought.
“Ten pounds—to a poor man—to a poor family, sir, ten pounds is a great deal of money.”
“I will lend you ten pounds willingly, on condition that you spend it on your wife and Nelly.”