Maxey 211 



which he nearly lost his life, that I found my mine. 

 I should have perished in the mountains if he had 

 not saved me.' 



' I do n't care,' declared the young lady, with a 

 flush. c He 's horrid, and I do n't want you to keep 

 him.' 



' And what would you have me do with him ? ' 

 inquired Herbert quietly, although his heart seemed 

 to stop beating. 



'Sell him, or give him away anything you like, 

 only get rid of him at once,' she replied with a laugh. 

 The tone, the laugh, the request, all jarred upon 

 Herbert. They were a new and unexpected revela- 

 tion of her character. His heart sank. 



' I cannot do what you ask,' he replied, after a 

 pause. 



The blood mounted to her temples. She had 

 mistaken his gentleness for weakness (a not uncom- 

 mon blunder with the world), and now saw her error. 

 But her pride was aroused, and so she resorted to 

 softer measures. 



4 Will you not do it for my sake ? ' And her 

 appealing eyes came caressingly near him. 



