toring again, or of paying back stolen goods, that not half
should be given, but the whole, multiplied fourfold!"

"Such a deed, as Quixotic as unnecessary, could not be done, it would
arouse suspicion," said Jasper decidedly.

After this the two brothers talked together for some time. Jasper quiet
and calm, John disturbed and perplexed, too perplexed to notice that the
younger and harder man was keeping back part of the truth. But
conversation agitated John Harman, agitated him so much that that
evening some of the veil was torn from his daughter's eyes, for during
dinner he fainted away. Then there was commotion and dismay, and the
instant sending for doctors, and John Hinton and Jasper Harman both felt
almost needless alarm.

When the old man came to himself he found his head resting on his
daughter's shoulder. During all the time he was unconscious she had eyes
and ears for no one else.

"Leave me alone with the child," he said feebly to all the others. When
they were gone, he looked at her anxious young face. "There is no cause,
my darling, no cause whatever; what does one faint signify? Put your
arms round me, Charlotte, and I shall feel quite well."

She did so, laying her soft cheek against his.

"Now you shall see no one but me to-night," she said, "and I shall sit
with you the whole evening, and you must lie still and not talk. You are
ill, father, and you have tried to keep it from me."

"A little weak and unfit for much now, I confess," he said in a tone of
relief. He saw she was not seriously alarmed, and it was a comfort to
confide so far in her.

"You are weak and tired, and need rest," she said: "you shall see no one
to-night but me, and I will stay with you the whole evening!"

"What!" said her father, "you will give up Hinton for me, Lottie!"

"Even that I will do for you," she said, and she stooped and kissed his
gray head.

"I believe you love me, Lottie. I shall think of that all the week you
are away. You are sure you will only remain away one week?"

"Father, you and I have never been parted before in all my life; I
promise faithfully to come back in a week," she answered.

He smiled at this, and allowing her still to retain his hand in hers,
sank into a quiet sleep. While he slept Charlotte sat quietly at his
feet. She felt perplexed and irresolute. Her father's fainting fit had
alarmed her, and now, looking into his face, even to her inexperience,
the ravages which disease, both m