"I thank you for your good advice, Mr. Carrington," she said, calmly;
"and I will avail myself of your worldly wisdom. What would you have me
do?"
"I would have you tell Douglas Dale, when he returns to town and comes
to see you, the position in which you find yourself with regard to
money matters, and ask the loan of a few hundreds. The truth and depth
of his love for you will be proved by his response to this appeal."
"How came you to suspect his love for me?" asked Paulina. "It has never
yet shaped itself in words. A woman's own instinct generally tells her
when she is truly loved; but how came you, a bystander, a mere looker-
on, to discover Douglas Dale's secret?"
"Simply because I am a man of the world, and somewhat of an observer,
and I will pledge my reputation as both upon the issue of your
interview with Douglas Dale."
"So be it," said Paulina; "I will appeal to him. It is a new
degradation; but what has my whole life been except a series of
humiliations? And now, Mr. Carrington, this interview has been very
painful to me. Pardon me, if I ask you to leave me to myself."
Victor complied immediately, and took leave of Madame Durski with many
apologies for his intrusion. Before leaving the house he encountered
Miss Brewer, who came out of a small sitting-room as he entered the
hall.
"You are going away, Mr. Carrington?" she asked.
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