I wouldn't have dared to think of such a thing.

I thought an English gentleman--an English gentleman--oh! oh! to think it was all because I did not give you money--just common dollars and cents that--that I daren't offer to a decent American who could work for himself." Sir Nigel sprang at her.

He struck her with his open hand upon the cheek, and as she reeled she held up her small, feverish, shaking hand, laughing more wildly than before.
"You ought not to strike me," she cried.

"You oughtn't! You don't know how valuable I am.

Perhaps----" with a little, crazy scream--"perhaps I might have a son." She fell in a shuddering heap, and as she dropped she struck heavily against the protruding end of an oak chest and lay upon the floor, her arms flung out and limp, as if she were a dead thing..