raised my hand to strike her for her stubborn spirit, and saw her eyes
unflinching, and her pale, pale, but fearless face, my arm fell to my
side powerless. She will not take to this life without the old man.
She will waste away and die."

LOSELY.--"How you bother me! Are you serious? What am I to do?"

MRS. CRANE.--"You have won money you say; revoke the contract; pay Rugge
back his L100. He is disappointed in his bargain; he will take the
money."

LOSELY.--"I dare say he will indeed! No: I have won to-day, it is true,
but I may lose to-morrow; and besides I am in want of so many things:
when one gets a little money, one has an immediate necessity for more--
ha! ha! Still I would not have the child die; and she may grow up to be
of use. I tell you what I will do; if, when the races are over, I find I
have gained enough to afford it, I will see about buying her off. But
L100 is too much! Rugge ought to take half the money, or a quarter,
because, if she don't act, I suppose she does eat."

Odious as the man's words were, he said them with a laugh that seemed to
render them less revolting,--the laugh of a very handsome mouth, showing
teeth still brilliantly white. More comely than usual that day, for he
was in great good-humour, it was difficult to conceive that a man with so
healthful and fair an exterior was really quite rotten at heart.

"Your own young laugh," said Arabella Crane, almost tenderly. "I know
not how it is, but this day I feel as if I were less old,--altered though
I be in face and mind. I have allowed myself to pity that child; while I
speak, I can pity you. Yes! pity,--when I think of what you were. Must