m talking and when they
went out to saddle the horse, I hurried up to your room to wake you. I
had to take possession of the bills; you were not safe while you held
them. I took them quietly because I hoped to save you without betraying
them. But I failed in that. You must remember they are my father and my
brother.'

"'I will not betray them,' said I.

"She smiled. It was a wintry gleam but it ineffably softened her face. I
became conscious of a movement of pity towards her.

"'You have a hard lot,' remarked I. 'Your life must be a sad one.'

"She flashed upon me one glance of her dark eye. 'I was born for
hardship,' said she, 'but--' and a sudden wild shudder seized her, 'but
not for crime.'

"The word fell like a drop of blood wrung from her heart.

"'Good heavens!' cried I, 'and must you--'

"'No,' rang from her lips in a clarion-like peal; 'some things cut the
very bonds of nature. I am not called upon to cleave to what will drag
me into infamy.' Then calmly, as if speaking of the most ordinary matter
in the world, 'I shall never go back to that house we have left behind
us, sir.'

"'But,' cried I, glancing at her scanty garments, 'where will you go?
What will you do? You are young--'

"'And very strong,' she interrupted. 'Do not fear for me.' And her smile
was like a burst of sudden sunshine.

"I said no more that night.

"But when in the morning I stumbled upon her sitting in the kitchen
reading a book not only above her position but beyond her years,
a sudden impulse seized me and I asked her if she would like to be
educated. The instantaneous illumining of her whole face was sufficient
reply without her low emphatic words,

"'I would be content to study on my knees to know what some women do,
whom I have seen.'

"It is not necessary for me to relate with what pleasure I caught at
the idea that here was a chance to repay in some slight measure the
inestimable favor she had done me; nor by what arguments I finally won
her to accept an education at my hands as some sort of recompense for
the life she had saved. The advantage which it would give her in her
struggle with the world she seemed duly to appreciate, but that so
great a favor could be shown her without causing me much trouble and an
unwarrantable expense, she could not at once be brought to comprehend,
and till she could, she held out with that gentle but inflexible will of
hers. The battle, however, was won at last and I left her in that