She even anticipated gladly those ten minutes alone with her aunt,
which she used to dislike so much, hoping that the holiday-time would
not hinder them. Really wishing to please her aunt, she had learnt her
portion perfectly, and Lady Merrifield showed that she appreciated the
effort, though still it was more a lesson than a reality.
'My dear!' she said, 'I am afraid this is another blow for you--it came
this morning.'
It was the account from Professor Muhlwasser's German publisher,
amounting to a few shillings more than six pounds. And an announcement
that the books were on the way.
'Oh,' cried Dolores, 'I thought he was dead! He told me so! Uncle
Alfred, I mean! And it was only to get the money! How could he be so
wicked?'
'I am afraid that was all he cared for.'
'And what shall I do. Aunt Lily? Will you pay it, please, and take
all my allowance till it is made up?'
'I think it will be more comfortable for you if I do something of that
sort, though I don't think you should go entirely without money. You
have a pound a quarter. I was going to give you yours at once.'
'Oh, take it--pray--'
'Suppose I give you five shillings, instead of twenty. I do not think
it well to leave you with nothing for a year and a half, and this is
nearly what Mysie has.'
'A shilling a month--very well. I wish I could pay it all at once!'
'No doubt you do, my dear, but this will keep you in mind for a long
time what a dangerous thing you did in giving away money you had no
right to dispose of.
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