ly. It had been on
his tongue to say that he wondered if he could not get some
employment for him at Lloyd's; then he remembered his uncle, and
stopped. Robert had begun to understand the older man's methods, and
also to understand that they were not to be cavilled at or disputed,
even by a nephew for whom he had undoubtedly considerable affection.

"It is nonsense, of course," said Risley. "The man is not by any
means old or past his usefulness, although I must admit he has that
look. He cannot be any older than your uncle. Speaking of your
uncle, how is Mrs. Lloyd?"

"I fear Aunt Lizzie is very far from well," replied Robert, "but she
tries to keep it from Uncle Norman."

"I don't see how she can. She looked ghastly when I met her the
other day."

"That was when Uncle Norman was in New York," said Robert. "It is
different when he is at home." As he spoke, an expression of
intensest pity came over the young man's face. "I wonder what a
woman who loves her husband will not do to shield him from any
annoyance or suffering," he said.

"I believe some women are born fixed to a sort of spiritual rack for
the sake of love, and remain there through life," said Risley. "But
I have always liked Mrs. Lloyd. She ought to have good advice. What
is it, has she told you?"

"Yes," said Robert.

"It will be quite safe with me."

Robert whispered one word in his ear.

"My God!" said Risley, "that? And do you mean to say that she has
had no advice except Dr. Story?"

"Yes, I took her to New York to a specialist some time ago. Uncle
Norman never knew it."

"And nothing can be done?"

"She could have an operation, but the success would be very
doubtful."

"And that she will not consent to?"

"She has not yet."

"How long?"

"Oh, she may live for years, but she suffers horribly, and she will
suffer more."

"And you say he does not know?"

"No."

"Why, look here, Robert, dare you assume the responsibility? What
will he say when he finds out that you have kept it from him?"

"I don't care," said Robert. "I will not break an oath exacted by a
woman in such straits as that, and I don't see what good it could do
to tell him."

"He might persuade her to have the operation."

"His mere existence is persuasion enough, if she is to be persuaded.
And I hope she may consent before long. She has seemed a little more
comfortable lately, too."

"I suppose sometimes those hideous things go away as mysteriously as
they