He obeyed, though with some unwillingness.
She hunted for her handkerchief and wiped her eyes, and then at last
she spoke:
"I am engaged to be married," she said in a low voice, "I am engaged
to Mr. Cossey."
Then, for about the first time in his life, Harold Quaritch swore
violently in the presence of a lady.
"Oh, damn it all!" he said.
She took no notice of the strength of the language, perhaps indeed she
re-echoed it in some feminine equivalent.
"It is true," she said with a sigh. "I knew that it would come, those
dreadful things always do--and it was not my fault--I am sure you will
always remember that. I had to do it--he advanced the money on the
express condition, and even if I could pay back the money, I suppose
that I should be bound to carry out the bargain. It is not the money
which he wants but his bond."
"Curse him for a Shylock," said Harold again, and groaned in his
bitterness and jealousy.
"Is there nothing to be done?" he asked presently in a harsh voice,
for he was very hard hit.
"Nothing," she answered sadly. "I do not see what can help us, unless
the man died," she said; "and that is not likely. Harold," she went
on, addressing him for the first time in her life by his Christian
name, for she felt that after crying upon a man's shoulder it is
ridiculous to scruple about calling him by his name; "Harold, there is
no help for it.
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