I took a desperate chance to do what I
have done to-night--so cleverly that it could never be detected.
"A few strokes of the pen meant wealth or poverty for us, Claire. I am
too old to face beggary after living a life of luxury. You will not
betray me, Claire--you dare not, knowing that it was done for your sake,
Claire."
The girl was not naturally wicked; she had always had a great respect
for the high-bred, beautiful Faynie--her stepfather's daughter by his
first wife. There had been no discord between the two young girls.
Still, as her mother had said so emphatically, it was better that Faynie
should step out of that lovely home a beggar than that they should lose
it.
Claire quite agreed with her mother that Faynie must stay there for the
present at all hazards; it would arouse such an uproar if she were
thrust from that roof just then.
"If my father has expressed the desire that I shall stay here six
months, I--I shall do so, even though it breaks my heart," Faynie had
said.
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