re is no serious offence without intention."

"Very true; but I do not wish there should be even a trivial
transgression."

"I 'm not afraid. Go on," said she, nodding her head.

"Where was I, then? Oh! I remember. I said that Mr. Dalton, seeing
difficulties thickening and troubles gathering, suddenly bethinks him
that he has a daughter, a young lady of such attractions that, in a
society where wealth and splendor and rank hold highest place, her
beauty has already established a dominion which nothing, save her
gentleness, prevents being a despotism."

"Mr. Jekyl mistakes the part of a friend when he becomes flatterer."

"There is no flattery in a plain unadorned truth," said he, hastily.

"And were it all as you say," rejoined she, speaking with a heightened
color and a flashing eye, "how could such circumstances be linked with
those you spoke of?"

"Easily enough, if I did but dare to tell it," was his reply.

"It is too late for reserve; go on freely," said she, with a faint sigh.

Jekyl resumed,

"Mr. Dalton knows there are thousands could have told him so that his
daughter may be a princess to-morrow if she wishes it. She has but to
choose her rank and her nationality, and there is not a land in Europe
in whose peerage she may not inscribe her name. It is too late for
reserve," said he, quickly, "and consequently too late for resentment.
You must not be angry with me now; I am but speaking in your presence
what all the world says behind your back. Hearing this, and believing
it, as all believe it, what is there more natural than that he should
address himself to her at whose disposal lie all that wealth can
compass? The sun bestows many a gleam of warmth and brightness before he
reaches the zenith. Do not mistake me. This request was scarcely fair;
it was ill-advised. Your freedom should never have been jeopardized
for such a mere trifle. Had your father but seen with his own eyes your
position here, he would never have done this; but, being done, there is
no harm in it."

"But what am I to do?" said Kate, trembling with embarrassment and
vexation together.

"Send the money, of course," said he, coolly.

"But how from what source?"

"Your own benevolence, none other," said he, as calmly.

"There is no question of a favor, no stooping to an obligation
necessary. You will simply give your promise to repay it at some future
day, not specifying when; and I will find a banker but too happy to
treat wi