At last she laid down the letter, and lifted her eyes to his face. A
deadly whiteness and despair had come over the bright soubrette beauty,
and even William Carley's hard nature was moved a little by the altered
expression of his daughter's countenance.
"It must be as you wish, father," she said slowly; "there is no help for
it; I cannot see you brought to disgrace. Stephen Whitelaw must have the
price he asks for his money."
"That's a good lass," cried the bailiff, springing up and clasping his
daughter in his arms, a most unusual display of affection on his part;
"that's bravely spoken, Nell, and you never need repent the choice
that'll make you mistress of Wyncomb Farm, with a good home to give your
father in his old age."
The girl drew herself hastily from his embrace, and turned away from him
with a shudder. He was her father, and there was something horrible in
the idea of his disgrace; but there was very little affection for him in
her mind. He was willing to sell her into bondage in order to save
himself. It was in this light she regarded the transaction with Stephen
Whitelaw.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
DOUBTFUL INFORMATION.
The early days of the new year brought little change in John Saltram's
condition. Mr. Mew, and the physician who saw him once in every three
days, seemed perhaps a shade more hopeful than they had been, but would
express no decided opinion when Gilbert pressed them with close
questioning.
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