He had often been to Potlurg, and had been advancing in intimacy with Alexa; but he would not show himself there until he could appear as a man of decision--until he was on the point of departure. She would be the more willing to believe his innocence of complicity in the deceptions that had led to his ruin! He would thus also manifest self-denial and avoid the charge of interested motives! he could not face the suspicion of being a suitor with nothing to offer! George had always taken the grand rôle--that of superior, benefactor, bestower. He was powerful in condescension! Not, therefore, until the night before he sailed did he go to Potlurg. Alexa received him with a shade of displeasure. “I am going away,” he said, abruptly, the moment they were seated. Her heart gave a painful throb in her throat, but she did not lose her self-possession. “Where are you going?” she asked. “To New York,” he replied. “I have got a situation there--in a not unimportant house. _There_ at least I am taken for an honest man. From your heaven I have fallen.” “No one falls from any heaven but has himself to blame,” rejoined Alexa. “Where have I been to blame? I was not in my father's confidence. I knew nothing, positively nothing, of what was going on.” “Why then did you not come to see me?” “A man who is neither beggar nor thief is not willing to look either.” “You would have come if you had trusted me,” she said. “You must pardon pride in a ruined man,” he answered. “Now that I am starting to-morrow, I do not feel the same dread of being misunderstood!” “It was not kind of you, George. Knowing yourself fit to be trusted, why did you not think me capable of trusting?” “But, Alexa!--a man's own father!” For a moment he showed signs of an emotion he had seldom had to repress. “I beg your pardon, George!” cried Alexa. “I am both stupid and selfish! Are you really going so far?” Her voice trembled. “I am--but to return, I hope, in a very different position!” “You would have me understand--” “That I shall then be able to hold up my head.” “Why should an innocent man ever do otherwise?” “He can not help seeing himself in other people's thoughts!” “If we are in the right ought we to mind what people think of us?” said Alexa. “Perhaps not. But I will make them think of me as I choose.” “How?” “By compelling their respect.” “You mean to make a fortune?” “Yes.” “Then it will be the fortune they respect! You will not be more worthy!” “I shall not.” “Is such respect worth having?” “Not in itself.” “In what then? Why lay yourself out for it?” “Believe me, Alexa, even the real respect of such people would be worthless to me. I only want to bring them to their marrow-bones!”