Hugh knew Adah was sincere, and said: "I told you I did not like women much, and I don't but I'm going to take
care of you until that scoundrel turns up; then, if you say so, I'll
surrender you to his care, or better yet, I'll shoot him and keep you to
myself. Not as a sweetheart, or anything of that kind," he hastened to
add, as he saw the flush on Adah's cheek. "Hugh Worthington has nothing
to do with that species of the animal kingdom, but as my Sister Adah!"
and as Hugh repeated that name, there arose in his great heart an
indefinable wish that the gentle girl beside him had been his sister
instead of the high-tempered Adaline, who never tried to conciliate or
understand him, and whom, try as he might, Hugh could not love as
brothers should love sisters.
He knew how impatiently she was waiting now to know the result of that
interview, and just how much opposition he should meet when he announced
his intention of keeping Adah. Hugh was master of Spring Bank, but
though its rightful owner, Hugh was far from being rich, and many were
the shifts and self-denials he was obliged to make to meet the increased
expense entailed upon him by his mother and sister. John Stanley had
been accounted very wealthy, and Hugh, who had often seen him counting
out his gold, was not a little surprised when, after his death, no ready
money could be found, or any account of the same--nothing but the Spring
Bank property, consisting of sundry acres of nearly worn-out land, the
old, dilapidated house, and a dozen or more negroes. This to a certain
extent was the secret of his patched boots, his threadbare coat and
coarse pants, with which 'Lina so often taunted him, saying he wore
them just to be stingy and mortify her, she knew he did, when in fact
necessity rather than choice was the cause of his shabby appearance. He
had never told her so, however, never said that the unfashionable coat
so offensive to her fastidious vision was worn that she might be the
better clothed and fed. But Hugh was capable of great self-sacrifices.
He could manage somehow, and Adah should stay. He would say that she was
a friend whom he had known in New York, that her husband had deserted
her, and in her distress she had come to him for aid.
All this he explained to Adah, who assented tacitly, thinking within
herself that she should not long remain at Spring Bank, a dependent upon
one on whom she had no claim. She was too weak now, however, to oppose
him, and merely nodding to his suggestions laid her head upon the arm of
the lounge with a low cry that she was sick and warm. Stepping to the
door Hugh turned the key, and summoning the group waiting anxiously in
the adjoining room, bade them come at once, as Mrs. Hastings appeared to
be fainting. Great emphasis he laid upon the Mrs. and catching it up at
once 'Lina repeated, "Mrs. Hastings! So am I just as much."