"Wait a little before you throw my letter into the wastepaper basket.
"Circumstances (which it is impossible for me to mention before we meet) put it out of my power to help you--unless I attach to my most sincere offer of service a very unusual and very embarrassing condition. If you are on the brink of ruin, that misfortune will plead my excuse--and your excuse, too, if you accept the loan on my terms. In any case, I rely on the sympathy and forbearance of the man to whom I owe my life.
"After what I have now written, there is only one thing to add. Ibeg to decline accepting your excuses; and I shall expect to see you tomorrow evening, as we arranged. I am an obstinate old woman--but I am also your faithful friend and servant, MARY CALLENDER."Ernest looked up from the letter. "What can this possibly mean?"he wondered.
But he was too sensible a man to be content with wondering--he decided on keeping his engagement.
V.