It certainly was quite involuntary on Agnes Wortley's part, but when the time came for returning to Oakworthy, Marian was conscious of more kindly and affectionate feelings towards it and its inhabitants than she had ever expected to entertain for them. She did not love Fern Torr or the Wortleys less; she had resumed her confidence and sympathy with Agnes, and felt the value of Mrs. Wortley more than ever; and it quite made her heart ache to think how long it would be before she saw another purple hill or dancing streamlet, and that she should not be there to see her dear old myrtle's full pride of blossom. But, on the other hand, her room at Oakworthy, with its treasures, was a sort of home; and she looked forward to it gladly, when once she was out of sight of the moors.
The train had stopped and gone on again from the last station before that where they were to leave it for Oakworthy, when Gerald, coming across to the seat by her side, said, 'Marian, I say, can you lend me a couple of pounds?'
'Why, Gerald, what can you want with them?'
'Never mind; only be a good girl, and let me have them.'
'You had plenty of money when you came to Fern Torr. How could you have got rid of it all?'
'Come, come, Marian, don't be tiresome. Haven't I had to give to all the old women in the place?'
'But do you really mean that you have no money?'
'O yes, I have some, but not what I want. Come, I know you keep California in your pocket. What harm can it do you?'
After all Marian's presents at Fern Torr, it was not quite as convenient, as Gerald fancied, to part with two pounds; but that was not the best motive to put forward, nor was it her reason for hesitating.
'I don't know whether it is right; that is the thing, Gerald.'
'Right! why where is the right or wrong in it?'
'I am afraid it may do you harm,' said she, in a trembling, doubtful voice.
'Stuff! I'll take care of that!'
'If you would only tell me what you want it for?'
'I tell you, Marian, I can't do without it; I don't know what I shall do, if you won't give it to me.'
'Debts! O Gerald, you have not got into debt?'
'Well, and what do you look so scared about? Do you think they will kill me?'
'O, Gerald, Gerald, this proves it all.'
'It? what?' said Gerald. 'Come, don't be so like a girl! I have not been doing any thing wrong, I tell you, and it is all your fault if I can't get clear.'
'With such an allowance as you have, O Gerald, how could you? And how could you throw about money at home, when you knew you were in debt?'
'You talk as if I had been ruining my wife and ten small children,' cried Gerald, impatiently. 'A fine fuss about making a few pounds stand over till next half. But you women go headlong at it, never see the rights of a thing. So, you won't? Well, it is your doing now!'
'I can't see any end to it,' said Marian, reflectingly. 'If I thought you would make a resolution--but you will be without money at all, and how are you to get through this half? O, Gerald! better write to Mr. Lyddell at once, and he will set you straight, and you can begin fresh.'
Gerald made a face of utter contempt. The steam whistle was heard; they were stopping. 'There is an end of it, then' said he, angrily. 'I did
