I asked Alice what that watch was worth, and somehow the story of the lost bracelet came out, and--and--she--Alice would not let me sell the watch.

Don't look so black, Hugh, don't--oh, Miss Johnson, you must pacify him," and in terror poor Mrs.Worthington fled from the room, leaving Alice and Hugh alone.
"My mother told you of our difficulties! Has she no discretion, no sense ?" and Hugh's face grew dark with the wrath he dared not manifest with Alice's eyes upon him.
"Mr.Worthington," she said, "you have thanked me for caring for you when you were sick.

You have expressed a wish to return in some way what you were pleased to call a kindness.

There is a way, a favor you can grant me, a favor we women prize so highly; will you grant it?
Will you let me do as I please?
that's the favor." She looked a very queen born to be obeyed as she talked thus to Hugh.
She did not make him feel small or mean, only submissive, while her kindness touched a tender chord, which could not vibrate unseen.

Hugh was very weak, very nervous, too, and turning his head away so that she could not see his face, he let the hot tears drop upon his pillow; slowly at first they came, but gradually as everything--his embarrassed condition, Rocket's loss, 'Lina's selfishness, and Alice's generosity, came rushing over him--they fell in perfect torrents, and Alice felt a keen pang of pity, as sob after sob smote upon her ear, and she knew the shame it must be to him thus to give away before her.
"I did not mean to distress you so.