"What's the matter now?
I was only thinking of you, after all."
"I know you were," she answered passionately. "But you're to think of
something greater than my physical welfare. You're to think of my
miserable little rag of honour, and do what you can for that, if you
really want to help me!"
And with that she went quickly from the room and left him to breakfast
alone.
He marvelled for a little at her agitation, and then the contents of the
letter absorbed him again. He had better go and see Gardner, he
reflected; and then, if the thing really seemed secure, he would take
Dick Kenyon on his way back--perhaps lunch with him, and explain matters
in a friendly way. There was certainly nothing for Violet to make a fuss
about. He was quite fully convinced that the fellow wouldn't care.
Marriage was a mere incident to men of his stamp.
So, cheerily at length, having disposed of his breakfast, he rose,
collected his correspondence, which consisted for the most part of
bills, and, whistling light-heartedly, took his departure.
IV
"Now," said Dick Kenyon, in his easy, self-assured accents, "sit down
right there, sonny, and tell me what's on your mind."
He pressed Jerry into his most comfortable chair with hospitable force.
Jerry submitted, because he could not help himself, rather than from
choice. Patronage from Dick Kenyon was something of an offence to his
ever-ready pride.
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