Hear me
out! You're in love with Frank--I'm not, and I know him. Put you two
together often enough; give him time enough to hug, cry, pester, and
plead; and I'll tell you what the end will be--you'll marry him."
He had touched the right string at last. It rung back in answer before
he could add another word.
"You don't know me," she said, firmly. "You don't know what I can suffer
for Frank's sake. He shall never marry me till I can be what my father
said I should be--the making of his fortune. He shall take no burden,
when he takes me; I promise you that! I'll be the good angel of Frank's
life; I'll not go a penniless girl to him, and drag him down." She
abruptly left her seat, advanced a few steps toward Mr. Clare, and
stopped in the middle of the room. Her arms fell helpless on either side
of her, and she burst into tears. "He shall go," she said. "If my heart
breaks in doing it, I'll tell him to-morrow that we must say Good-by!"
Mr. Clare at once advanced to meet her, and held out his hand.
"I'll help you," he said. "Frank shall hear every word that has passed
between us. When he comes to-morrow he shall know, beforehand, that he
comes to say Good-by.
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