ed.
"I'll manage it somehow if it's humanly possible. You must let me think
it over. And in the meantime, for goodness' sake, keep cool. If Trevor
were to see you now, he would know there was something up directly."

As a matter of fact, he himself had never seen his sister so agitated
before. She was like a terrified bird in a trap. What on earth had she
been doing? he wondered. What made her go in such abject fear of her
husband that the very mention of his name was enough to send every
vestige of colour from her face?

He grasped her trembling fingers reassuringly. "There! Leave it to me,"
he said. "I'll find a way out, never fear. I've been in a good many tight
corners in my time, but I've always wriggled out somehow. I suppose you
want the money soon?"

"At once," said Chris.

He made a grimace, as of one swallowing a nauseous draught. "All right,
you shall have it. Now, don't worry any more. It's going to be all
right." He patted her shoulder kindly. "Only, for Heaven's sake, don't do
it again!"

She shivered, and turned away to hide her quivering lips. "If--if you can
get me the money this once," she said, "I--I'll never ask you again, and
I'll give you every farthing--every farthing--"

"My dear child, I don't want your farthings," responded Rupert cheerily.
"If you can make it fifty pounds now, I shall be quite grateful. But I'll
get you yours first, never mind how. Now, hadn't we better go back to the
rest? Aunt Philippa will be wondering what we are conspiring about. By
the way, when does she depart?"

"Soon, I hope," said Chris fervently.

He grinned. "Had enough of her, eh? So, I should imagine, has Trevor. He
is keener on giving advice than taking it, if I know anything about him."

"She wouldn't dare to give Trevor advice," protested Chris.

"Ho! wouldn't she?" He laughed derisively, as they turned to leave the
little room in the roof that was her refuge, but paused at the door to
slip his arm through hers. "You're not to worry, young 'un," he said,
with a patronage that did not veil concern. "Do you know you're looking
downright ill?"

She smiled up at him wistfully. "Things have been pretty horrid lately.
But I won't worry any more if--if you tell me I needn't."

"You needn't," he said, and impulsively he stooped and kissed her. He had
always had a protecting tenderness for his little sister.

They descended to the drawing-room to find Aunt Philippa writing letters
in solitary state. The