She has informed me of your flattering
opinion regarding me, and I have indorsed it as being mainly true to
life. Miss Gillis has been sufficiently shocked at thus discovering my
real character, and now returns in penitence to be reared according to
the admonitions of the Presbyterian faith. Do I state this fairly,
Naida?"
"I have come back," she faltered, fingering the chain at her throat, "I
have come back."
"Without Bob Hampton?"
The girl glanced uneasily toward him, but he stood motionless in the
gloom.
"Yes--I--I suppose I must."
Hampton rested his hand softly upon her shoulder, his fingers
trembling, although his voice remained coldly deliberate.
"I trust this is entirely satisfactory, Mrs. Herndon," he said. "I can
assure you I know absolutely nothing regarding her purpose of coming to
me tonight. I realize quite clearly my own deficiencies, and pledge
myself hereafter not to interfere with you in any way. You accept the
trust, I believe?"
She gave utterance to a deep sigh of resignation. "It comes to me
clearly as a Christian duty," she acknowledged, doubtfully, "and I
suppose I must take up my cross; but--"
"But you have doubts," he interrupted.
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