Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. III, 1889.djvu/238

228 money been hers, impossible to have regarded her thus. Joseph was thankful to the chance which, in making him wealthy, had also enabled him to nourish such virtuous feeling. How should he begin? He had a bright idea, an idea worthy of him. Thrusting his hand into his pocket, he brought out half-a-crown. Then:

“Your humble friend’s in a sad condition, I’m afraid, Jane?”

“She is, father.”

“Suppose you give her this! Every little helps, you know.”

Jane received the coin and murmured thanks for his kindness, but could not help betraying some surprise. Joseph was on the watch for this. It gave him his exquisite opportunity.

“You’re surprised at me offering you money, Jane? I believe your poor grandfather led you to suppose that—that his will was made almost entirely in your favour?”

Jane could not reply; she searched his face.

“Would it disappoint you very much, my child,” he continued, sympathetically, “if it turned out that he had either altered his mind