"Well, it's true, isn't it? You wouldn't want me to sneak into the
house without his knowing it?"
"I don't think you ought to come really; that's just it, John, we've
lost everything."
He was indignant. "We haven't. I won't stand it, Rachel; it's
ridiculous. He's trading on your generosity; he--why, he almost
admitted it to me!"
Rachel leaned back in the chair, her head sinking into the cushions;
she felt almost as if she might swoon. "John, he's just offered to set
me free."
Charter swung around and looked at her, his face changing.
"Good! Then there's a spark in him. I thought he--well, I told him what
I thought!"
She remembered Belhaven's face with a sudden illumination of mind. If
Charter had told him what he thought of him perhaps it was no wonder he
looked like that!
"I--I wish you hadn't!"
"Rachel," he stopped in his walk and bent over her, trembling, "is it
possible you're half in love with him now?"
"No, no!"
"Then--oh, my dear, my dear, we'll get you free yet! Rachel, my
darling!"
She let him hold her hands close but the tears were running down her
face.
"John, I told him I wouldn't take it!"
"You told him you wouldn't take your freedom?" His tone was
incredulous, dumbfounded.