Any but a heart of stone would have yielded, but, ’Lina was too supremely selfish. Hugh had twenty-five dollars. He might give her half, or even ten. She’d be satisfied with ten. He could soon make that up. The negro hire came due ere long. He must have forgotten that. No, he had not; but with the negro hire came debts, thoughts of which gave him the old worn look his mother had observed. Only ten dollars! It did seem hard to refuse, and if ’Lina went, Hugh wished her to look well, for underneath his apparent harshness lurked a kind of pride in his sister, whose beauty was of the bold, dashing style. “Take them,” he said at last counting out the ten with regretful sigh. “Make them go as far as you can, and Ad, remember don’t get into debt.” “I won’t,” and with a civil “Thank you,” ’Lina rolled up her bills, while Hugh repaired to Adah’s room telling her of Aunt Eunice, and his plan of taking her there. With a burst of tears, Adah listened to him, and then insisted upon going away, as she had done the previous night. She had no claim on him, and she could not be a burden. “You, madam, think it best, I’m sure,” she said, appealing to Mrs. Worthington, who was present and who answered promptly, “I do not. I am willing you should remain until your friends are found.” Adah offered no further remonstrance, but turning to Hugh, said hesitatingly, “I may hear from my advertisement. Do you take the _Herald_?” “Yes, though I can’t say I think much of it,” Hugh replied, and Adah continued, “Then if you ever find anything for me, you’ll tell me, and I can go away,” I said, “Direct to Adah Hastings. Somebody will be sure to see it. Maybe _George_, and then he’ll know of Willie.” With a muttered invective against the “villain,” Hugh left the room to see that the carriage was ready, while his mother, following him into the hall, offered to go herself with Adah if he liked. Glad to be relieved, as he had business that afternoon in Versailles, and was anxious to set off as soon as possible, Hugh accepted at once, and half an hour later, the Spring Bank carriage, containing Mrs. Worthington, Adah and Willie, drove slowly from the door, ’Lina calling after her mother to send Cæsar back immediately, as she was going to Frankfort after dinner, and wanted the carriage herself. CHAPTER X. ’LINA’S PURCHASE AND HUGH’S