The future? In the
future is a debtor's prison that opens for me whenever Jasper Gaunt
says the word. Hope? There can be no hope for me till Jasper Gaunt's
dead and shrieking in hell-fire."
"But your debts shall be paid,--if you will."
"Paid? Who--who's to pay 'em?"
"I will."
"You!--you?"
"Yes," nodded Barnabas, "on a condition."
Ronald Barrymaine sank back upon the couch, staring at Barnabas with
eyes wide and with parted lips; then, leaned suddenly forward,
sobered by surprise.
"Ah-h!" said he slowly. "I think I begin to understand. You have
seen my--my sister."
"Yes."
"Do you know--how much I owe?"
"No, but I'll pay it,--on a condition."
"A condition?" For a long moment the passionate dark eyes met and
questioned the steady gray; then Barrymaine's long lashes fluttered
and fell.
"Of course it would be a loan. I--I'd pay you back," he muttered.
"At your own convenience."
"And you would advance the money at once?"
"On a condition!"
Once again their eyes met, and once again Barrymaine's dropped; his
fingers clenched and unclenched themselves, he stirred restlessly,
and, finally, spoke.
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