Orange looked at her, and a scornful smile played over her lips. She was unable to believe in the purity and guilelessness of the soul before her. She thought Mirelle a hypocrite, and as a hypocrite she despised her. ’Oh! you want further explanation, do you? Learn then that it is not the custom in England for a woman of character to live on the generosity of a gentleman who is neither a husband nor a kinsman.’ ’I see that I have no right to expect this of Mr. Herring. But he is so good, so generous, and so thoughtful, that he has not considered himself, in his pity and solicitude for me. However, it shall not remain so. I will tell him that I cannot accept his liberality.’ ’Or—that you can only accept it when he has given you legitimate claims on him.’ ’I will not accept his liberality.’ ’What is to become of us—of you—if he hears this from your lips? Remember, we have nothing. We must starve. You—what will you do?’ ’I do not know.’ ’Listen to me, Mirelle. There is only one thing that you can do. Next time Mr. Herring comes here, if he tells you that he loves you, and asks you to be his wife—accept him.’ ’I cannot. Oh, I cannot!’ ’You must do it. It is the only salvation for us and for you. Then, no one can say anything to his furnishing you with every penny of his income.’ Mirelle put her hands over her eyes. Orange watched her contemptuously. The girl was very still, but the tears oozed between her slender fingers and dripped on her lap. ’Have you been so blind as not to see that his heart is bound up in you? He has loved you from the beginning, and, you little fool, you have not known it. He has done so much for you because he loves you. He cares nothing for us—my mother and me. He is a good and worthy man. Make him happy. Repay him for what he has done for you. You are not likely to find another who would make as trustworthy a husband. Do not sigh after the man in the moon; he will not come down to you. Mr. Herring is a gentleman, an officer in His Majesty’s army; has a private fortune, not large, but enough to support a wife in comfort; and he is honourable, truthful—and soft.’ Mirelle made no response.