quarters. I can help
you," she pursued eagerly. "Indeed I can help you if you stay in the West.
Yes, anywhere, for I know life. Oh, I'm so tired of myself; I can't run
true, I'm under false colors. You saw how the trainmen curried favor all
along the line, how familiar they were, how I submitted--I even dropped
that coin a-purpose in the Omaha station, for _you_, just to test you.
Those things are expected of me and I've felt obliged to play my part.
Men look upon me as a tool to their hands, to make them or break them. All
they want is my patronage and the secrets of the gaming table. And there
is Montoyo--bullying me, cajoling me, watching me. But you were different,
after I had met you. I foolishly wished to help you, and last night the
play went wrong. Why did I take you to his table? Because I think myself
entitled, sir," she said on, bridling a little, defiant of my gaze, "to
promote my friends when I have any. I did not mean that you should wager
heavily for you. Montoyo is out for large stakes. There is safety in small
and I know his system. You remember I warned you? I did warn you. I saw
too late. You shall have all your money back again. And Montoyo struck
me--_me_, in public! That is the end. Oh, why couldn't I have killed him?
But if you stayed here, so should I. Not with him, though. Never with him.
Maybe I'm talking wildly. You'll say I'm in love with you. Perhaps I
am--quien sabe? No matter as to that. I shall be no hanger-on, sir. I only
ask a kind of partnership--the encouragement of some decent man near me. I
have money; plenty, till we both get a footing. But you wouldn't live on
me; no! I don't fancy that of you for a moment. I would be glad merely to
tide you over, if you'd let me. And I--I'd be willing to wash floors in a
restaurant if I might be free of insult. You, I'm sure, would at least
protect me. Wouldn't you? You would, wouldn't you? Say something, sir."
She paused, out of breath and aquiver. "Shall we go? Will you help me?"

For an instant her appeal, of swimming blue eyes, upturned face, tensed
grasp, breaking voice, swayed me. But what if she were an actress, an
adventuress? And then, my parents, my father's name! I had already been
cozened once, I had resolved not to be snared again. The spell cleared and
I drew exultant breath.

"Impossible, madam," I uttered. "This is final. Good-morning."

She staggered and with magnificent but futile last flourish clapped both
hands to her face.