“What’s the difference?” demanded Nancy Ellen, largely.  “You can ruin half a dozen a day now, if you want to.”

“What do you mean?” asked Kate.

“‘Mean?’” laughed Nancy Ellen.  “I mean that I saw John Jardine or his ghost come up to you on the veranda, looking as if he’d eat you alive, and carry you away about nine o’clock, and you’ve been gone six hours and come back having had a ’perfectly heavenly time.’  What should I mean!  Go up head, Kate!  You have earned your right to a good time.  It isn’t everybody who gets a second chance in this world.  Tell me one thing, and I’ll go to sleep in peace and leave you to moon the remainder of the night, if you like.  Did he say he still loved you?”

“Still and yet,” laughed Kate.  “As I remember, his exact words were that he ’never had loved and never would love any other woman.’  Now are you satisfied?”

Nancy Ellen sprang from the bed and ran to Kate, gathering her in her strong arms.  She hugged and kissed her ecstatically.  “Good!  Good!  Oh, you darling!” she cried.  “There’ll be nothing in the world you can’t have!  I just know he had gone on making money; he was crazy about you.  Oh, Kate, this is too good!  How did I ever think of coming here, and why didn’t I think of it seven years ago?  Kate, you must promise me you’ll marry him, before I let you go.”

“I’ll promise to think about it,” said Kate, trying to free herself, for despite the circumstances and the hour, her mind flew back to a thousand times when only one kind word from Nancy Ellen would have saved her endless pain.  It was endless, for it was burning in her heart that instant.  At the prospect of wealth, position, and power, Nancy Ellen could smother her with caresses; but poverty, pain, and disgrace she had endured alone.

“I shan’t let you go till you promise,” threatened Nancy Ellen.  “When are you to see him again?”

“Ten, this morning,” said Kate.  “You better let me get to bed, or I’ll look a sight.”

“Then promise,” said Nancy Ellen.

Kate laid firm hands on the encircling arms.  “Now, look here,” she said, shortly, “it’s about time to stop this nonsense.  There’s nothing I can promise you.  I must have time to think.  I’ve got not only myself, but the children to think for.  And I’ve only got till ten o’clock, so I better get at it.”

Kate’s tone made Nancy Ellen step back.

“Kate, you haven’t still got that letter in your mind, have you?” she demanded.

“No!” laughed Kate, “I haven’t!  He offered me a thousand dollars if I could pronounce him a word he couldn’t spell; and it’s perfectly evident he’s studied until he is exactly like anybody else.  No, it’s not that!”

“Then what is it?  Simpleton, there was nothing else!” cried Nancy Ellen.

“Not so much at that time; but this is nearly twenty years later, and I have the fate of my children in my hands.  I wish you’d go to bed and let me think!” said Kate.