'
There were other particulars which he talked over with the authoress in
a promenade on the platform while Dolores was left in the waiting-room;
but afterwards he indulged his niece with a tete-a-tete, asking her
father's address, and mourning over the length of time it would take to
obtain an answer from Fiji. Mr. Mohun had promised to help him,
solemnly and kindly promised, for the sake of her whom they had both
loved so much, and here he was, cut off and quite in extremity.
Unfortunate as usual, through his determined enemies, a company in
which he had shares had collapsed, he was penniless till his salary
from the Politician became due in March. Meanwhile, he should be
expelled from his lodging and brought to ruin if he could not raise a
few pounds--even one.
Dolores had nearly two pounds in her purse. Her father had left her
amply provided, and she had not much opportunity of spending. She knew
he had seen the gold when she was shopping, and when she had paid for
the refreshments, which of course she had found she had to do. With
some hesitation she said, 'If thirty shillings would be of any good to
you--'
'My dear, generous child, your dear mother's own daughter! It will be
the saving of me temporarily! But among all your wealthy relatives,
surely, considering your father's promise, you could obtain some
advance until he can be communicated with!'
'If he is still in New Zealand, we could telegraph, and hear directly.
He did not know how long he should be there, for the ship had something
to be done to it.
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