"
"I will accept your view of the situation," the girl said, still
smiling, but with a faint note of disappointment in her tone. "I do
not wish to force upon you expressions of gratitude which you would
only find wearisome. But I must thank you! It is in my heart, and I
must speak of it. There, it is over, you see! I shall say no more."
"You are a sensible young lady," Wingrave said, making a motion as
though to rise. "I have only one request to make to you, and that is
that you keep to yourself the knowledge which Mr. Pengarth informs me
that you insisted upon acquiring. You are nearly enough of age now,
and I will make you your own mistress. That is all, I think."
The smile died away from her lips. Her tone became very earnest.
"Sir Wingrave," she said, "for all that you have done for me, I am, as
you know grateful. I would try to tell you how grateful, only I know
that it would weary you. So we will speak only of the future. I cannot
continue to accept--even such magnificent alms as yours."
"What do you mean, child?" he asked, frowning across at her.
"I mean," she said, "that now I am old enough to work, I cannot accept
everything from one upon whom I have no claim. If you will help me a
little still, I shall be more than grateful. But it must be in my own
way."
"You talk about work," he said. "What can you do?"
"I can paint," she answered, "fairly well. I should like to go to
London and have a few lessons.
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