not. John Penelles would not permit you to enter his
door. He says he will never forgive his daughter until she leaves you
for ever. I understand him. I cannot fully forgive you while you
remain with that woman."

"Who told you John Penelles said such a thing? I do not believe it."

"Priscilla Mohun. He said it to her."

"Ah! He would not say it to Denasia. And it would not be a bad place
to study. I should soon be a favourite with the fishers. I know how to
get around that class of people, and I am fond of the sea and could
spend a month very comfortably there. Cigars make any place
comfortable."

"You are talking simple nonsense, Roland. You know it, too. Penelles
would not endure your presence five minutes."

"I have done his daughter no harm."

"He believes that you have ruined her immortal soul. You are the devil
incarnate to John Penelles. He would not let you put your foot in his
cottage. And he is not a man to trifle with. He knocked Jacob Trenager
down, and the man goes lame ever since, they say."

"I am not going in his way to be knocked down. It is absolutely
necessary, both for Denas and myself, to be near London. If we had the
means I would go to Broadstairs or perhaps Hastings."

"Do you want to ask me for money, Roland? If so, be man enough to ask
me plainly."

"Yes, I want money, Elizabeth. I want you to give it to me. I have not
troubled you for a long time, have I? All my life long I have come to
you for money, and you never yet refused me. My dear sister, I
remember that you once sold a brooch for me when we were both
children." He kissed her and was silent, and Elizabeth's face was wet
with tears.

"I could give the last shilling I had to you, Roland," she said, "but
it is hard to ask me to rob myself for that woman."

"She is my wife. I want her to get strong and well. She is a comfort
and a pleasure to me. You were always glad to give me money for my
comforts and pleasures. You never before asked me what they were or
said: 'You cannot have money for such or such a purpose.' You gave me
money for whatever I wanted. Now I want Denas."

"Mademoiselle Denasia!"

"Well, then, Denasia. I want Denasia as I want my cigars or any other
pleasant thing in life. Does it matter to you, if the money makes me
happy, how I spend it?"

"If you put the question in that light I do not suppose it does
matter." Then after a moment's pause: "Every shilling will be a coal
of fire upon Mademoiselle Den