"Yes, afraid; but I don't mean you. I don't believe that you are coward
enough to desert a woman who was once your friend because misfortune has
overtaken her, and calumny has been at work with her name."

"I hope not," said he.

"No, Harry; I do not think it of you. But if Sir Hugh be not a coward,
why did he not come and meet me? Why has he left me to stand alone, now
that he could be of service to me? I knew that money was his god, but I
have never asked him for a shilling, and should not have done so now.
Oh, Harry, how wicked you were about that check? Do you remember?"

"Yes; I remember."

"So shall I; always, always. If I had taken that money how often should
I have heard of it since?"

"Heard of it?" he asked. "Do you mean from me?"

"Yes; how often from you? Would you have dunned me, and told me of it
once a week? Upon my word, Harry, I was told of it more nearly every
day. Is it not wonderful that men should be so mean?"

It was clear to him now that she was talking of her husband who was
dead, and on that subject he felt himself at present unable to speak a
word. He little dreamed at that moment how openly she would soon speak
to him of Lord Ongar and of Lord Ongar's faults?

"Oh, how I have wished that I had taken your money! But never mind about