"You want me to go on his bond and loan him some thousands of dollars,
too?"
Mrs. Challoner inclined her head.
"Why, Mrs. Challoner," Murgatroyd exclaimed, holding up his hands in
amazement, "I haven't got the money! I couldn't go on a bond for a
hundred thousand dollars; and as for lending him money! Well...."
To Mrs. Challoner, the prosecutor in refusing was acting merely within
his rights. However, her feminine instinct had made her conscious of
some indefinable change in him; so she persisted:--
"If only you could--"
Miriam ceased abruptly and watched him as he sprang to his feet and for
a long time paced up and down the room, gazing at her face each time he
passed her. After a while, he came and stood over her, apparently trying
to make up his mind whether or not to take a certain course of action.
Finally he said with great feeling:--
"Mrs. Challoner, you are the bravest woman I have ever known. Yes,
perhaps I can arrange it for you. But first, won't you please call
Lawrence--call them both back."