‘Oh, wasn’t it cruel that she should take such revenge upon me!’ Her voice rose in unrestrained emotion. ‘Just because she envied me that poor bit of advantage over her! How could I be expected to refuse the chance that was offered? It would have been no use; she couldn’t have kept the part. And I was so near success. I had never had a chance of showing what I could do. It wasn’t much of a part, really, but it was the lead, at all events, and it would have made people pay attention to me. You don’t know how strongly I was always drawn to the stage; there I found the work for which I was meant. And I strove so hard to make my way. I had no friends, no money. I earned only just enough to supply my needs. I know what people think about actresses. Mr. Kirkwood, do you imagine I have been living at my ease, congratulating myself that I had escaped from all hardships?’ He could not raise his eyes. As she still awaited his answer, he said in rather a hard voice: ‘As I have told you, I read all the details that were published. ‘Then you know that I was working hard and honestly—working far, far harder than when I lived in Clerkenwell Close. But I don’t know why I am talking to you about it. It’s all over. I went my own way, and I all but won what I fought for. You may very well say, what’s the use of mourning over one’s fate?’ Sidney had risen. ‘You were strong in your resolve to succeed,’ he said gravely, ‘and you will find strength to meet even this trial.’ ‘A weaker woman would suffer far less. One with a little more strength of character would kill herself.’ ‘No. In that you mistake. You have not yourself only to think of. It would be an easy thing to put an end to your life. You have a duty to your father.’ She bent her head. ‘I think of him. He is goodness itself to me. There are fathers who would have shut the door in my face. I know better now than I could when I was only a child how hard his life has been; he and I are like each other in so many ways; he has always been fighting against cruel circumstances. It’s right that you, who have been his true and helpful friend, should remind me of my duty to him.’ A pause; then Sidney asked: ‘Do you wish me to speak to him very soon about your finding occupation?’ ‘If you will. If you could think of anything.’ He moved, but still delayed his offer to take leave. ‘You said just now,’ Clara continued, falteringly, ‘that you did not try to express sympathy, because words seemed of no use. How am I to find words of thanks to you for coming here and listening to what I had to say?’ ‘But surely so simple an act of friendship—’ ‘Have I so many friends? And what right have I to look to you for an act of kindness? Did I merit it by my words when I last—’