“Yes, Graydon, it does.”

“Well, Arnault is a money-lender, and I am satisfied that in some way he has her father in his power.  Many of these brokers are like cats.  They will hold on to anything by one nail, and the first thing you know they are on their feet again all right.  As soon as Wildmere makes a lucky strike in the stock-market he will extricate himself and his daughter at the same time.  Of course these things are not formulated in words, in a cold-blooded way, I suppose.  Arnault has long been a suitor that would take no rebuff.  I am satisfied that she has refused him more than once, but he simply persists, and gives her to understand that he will take his chances.  This was the state of affairs when I came home, and she, no doubt, feels that if she can save her father, and keep a home for her mother and the little one, she ought to retain her hold on Arnault.  After all, it is not so bad.  Many women marry for money outright, and all poor Stella proposes is to be complaisant toward a man who would not continue his business support to one whose daughter had just refused him.”

Madge was silent.

“You wouldn’t do such a thing, I suppose.”

“I couldn’t, Graydon,” she said, simply.  “If I should ever love a man I think I could suffer a great deal for his sake, but there are some things I couldn’t do.”

“I thought you would feel so.”

“Why don’t you help her father out?” Madge faltered.

“I don’t think I have sufficient means.  I have never been over-thrifty in saving, and have not laid by many thousands.  I have merely a good salary and very good prospects.  You can’t imagine how slow and conservative Henry is.  In business matters he treats me just as if I were a stranger, and I must prove myself worthy of trust at every point, and by long apprenticeship, before he will give me a voice in affairs.  He says coming forward too fast is the ruination of young men in our day.  Nothing would tempt him to have dealings with Mr. Wildmere, and I couldn’t damage myself more than by any transactions on my own account.  But even if I were rich I wouldn’t interfere.  I don’t like her father any better than Henry does, and if I began in this way it would make a bad precedent.  What’s more, I won’t introduce money influences into an affair of this kind.  If it comes to the point, Stella must decide for me, ignoring all other considerations.  If she does, I won’t permit her family to suffer, but I propose to know that she chooses me absolutely in spite of everything.  I am also resolved that she shall be separated from her family as far as is right, for there is a tone about them that I don’t like.”

“I thank you for your confidence, Graydon,” said Madge, quietly.  “You are acting just as I should suppose you would.  No one in the world wishes you happiness more earnestly than I do.  Come, let us take this level place like the wind.”

She was unusually gay during the remainder of their ride, but seemed bent almost on running her horse to death.  “To-morrow is Sunday,” she explained, “and I must crowd two rides into one.”