y
ungrateful! Have I not had patience for a whole month? Have I not
spent even my cigar-money for you? Patience, indeed!"

"Is there nowhere but St. Penfer? No person but Elizabeth?"

"I can go to St. Merryn's, if you like. Give me an order for the money
in your name at St. Merryn's Bank."

She turned sullen in a moment. "I have told you a thousand times,
Roland, I would rather die of hunger than rob my father."

"Very well, then, why do you complain if I go to my own people? I hope
when I return you will be better."

"Roland! Roland! You are surely not going to leave me--in a
moment--without anything?"

Her cry so full of anguish brought him back to her side; but his
purpose had taken full possession of him; only he left her with those
kisses and promises which women somehow manage to live upon. He still
loved her in his way of loving, but his way demanded so many pleasant
accidentals that it was impossible for Denasia always to provide them.
And yet, having once realised, in a great measure, his ideal of her
value to his happiness, he did feel that her sudden break-down in
health was a failure he ought to show disapproval of.

However, there was method even in Roland's selfish plans. He did not
wish to find Mr. Burrell at St. Penfer, so he went to the bank and
ascertained his whereabouts. He was told that Mr. Burrell had just
left for Berlin, and was likely to be a week or ten days away. This
information quite elated Roland. He sold his watch and took the first
train to Cornwall. And as he was certain that Elizabeth would have
settled his bill at the Black Lion, he went there with all his old
swaggering good-humour and thoroughly refreshed himself before going
out to Burrell Court.

Elizabeth gave him a hearty welcome; she was indeed particularly glad
to see him just then. She was lonely in the absence of her husband;
she had just had a slight disagreement with the ladies at a church
meeting; she was feeling her isolation and her want of family support;
and she had met, for the first time since their interview, the Rev.
Mr. Farrar, who had presumed to arrest her coachman and, in the
presence of her servants, congratulate her on the marriage of her
brother and her friend. Under the circumstances, she had judged it
best to make no remarks; but she was very angry, and not sorry to have
the culprit in her presence and tell him exactly what she thought of
his folly and disgrace.

She kept the lecture, however,