’To Langford, eh?’ his face clouded. ’I didn’t think you was on good terms with Mr. Langford. Take care—take care! I won’t have he sloke away this Red Spider from Chimsworthy.’ Then he nodded, smiled, and went on. He little knew, he had no suspicion, that what he hinted at was really menaced.
Honor went on to the old, lonely house, and asked to speak to Mr. Langford. She was shown into his parlour. Taverner was about the farm. She had some minutes to wait, and nerve herself for the interview, before he arrived.
’Well,’ said he when he came in, ’you are in good time. You have brought me the answer.’
’Do I take that Yes as a reply to this question or to that I made yesterday?’
’There’s not another woman in all England to whom I’d have behaved as I have to you.’
’I mean,’ said Langford, knitting his brows, and reddening, ’I mean, I would not have foregone a thousand pounds for any other. I would not have spared the man who had robbed me for any other woman’s sake.’
’I have come here,’ she said, ’myself, instead of sending a message, because I wished to speak with you in private.’
’There is no one here to overhear you. I have stopped up the keyhole; Mrs. Veale listened, she can catch nothing now.’
’Mr. Langford, I was told by my father that you had promised to do something for my brother and sisters.’
’Oh, do not be afraid—I will do something for them.’
’I want you to grant me one request, the only one I will ever make of you. Promise me some small yearly sum assured to my father, I do not ask for much. When I am in the house, I can manage, but it is hard work for me to do so. When I am gone, Kate will find it hard, and she may not remain long there; she is a pretty girl, and has her admirers, she is sure to marry soon—then what will become of my father and the little ones? I do not ask you to take them in here. That would not be reasonable—except so far as they can work for you, and be of use to you—Joe will be a valuable servant, and Pattie is growing up to be neat and active and thoughtful.’
’That is all,’ replied Honor quietly. ’If I ask you to do anything for these two it is only because they will be worth more than you will pay them. But I ask for my father. It will be a loss to him, my leaving the house. He will not be happy. Kate is very good, but she does not understand thrift, and she is light-hearted. Promise me a small sum every year for my father and the little ones to relieve them from the pinch of poverty, and to give them ease and happiness.’