But she was a helpless child then; she is a woman now,
and can decide for herself. As for me, I will not be your partner. I have
a small royalty on your coal, and that is enough for me; but Grace shall
do as she pleases. My child, will you go to the brilliant future that his
wealth can secure you, or share my modest independence, which will need
all my love to brighten it. Think before you answer; your own future life
depends upon yourself."
With this he turned his back and walked for some distance very stoutly,
then leaned upon the palings with his back toward Grace; but even a back
can speak, and the young lady looked at him and her eyes filled; then she
turned them toward Bartley, and those clear eyes dried as if the fire in
the heart had scorched them.
"In the first place, sir," said she, with a cold and cutting voice, very
unusual to her, "my name is not Mary, it is Grace; and, be assured of
this, if there was not another roof in all the world to shelter me, if I
was helpless, friendless and fatherless, I would die in the nearest ditch
rather than set my foot in the house from which I was thrust out with
shame and insult such as no lady ever yet forgave.
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