Felicita's stony quietude was gone, and in its place was such a passionate energy as he had never witnessed before in any woman.
"It was money that tempted Roland to defraud you and dishonor himself," she said; "it drove poor Acton to commit suicide, and it hardened your heart against your friend's son.

Felix shall be free from it.

He shall earn his bread and his place in the world in some other way, and till he can do that I will earn it for him.

Every shilling I spend from henceforth shall be clean, the fruit of my own hands, not Roland's--not his, whether he be alive or dead." Before Mr.Clifford could answer, the door was flung open, and Felix, breathless with rapid running, rushed into the room and flung himself into his mother's arms.

No words could come at first; but he drew long and terrible sobs.