ill Dora's action be, do you think, if she knows that Dick
is here?"

"Dearest, if she believes him guilty, she will go on with her marriage.
The understanding between Dick and Dora was informal. It was not like an
engagement. She is engaged to Ormsby, and she will not go back on her
word now, though I have grave doubts of the wisdom of allowing her to
remain in ignorance of the truth."

"The girl loved Dick. There was a definite understanding between them.
She has been breaking her heart over him. This engagement to Ormsby is a
matter arranged by her father. No, the only person who can help us is my
father, and I refuse to discuss it with you further. It's now a matter
between me and Dick--a mother's utter ruin or a son's emigration. And,
after all, why shouldn't Dick try his luck in another country? There's
nothing for him here."

"What are you going to say?"

"I can't tell till I see father, and know what mood he is in. He has
always abused Dick; but he always liked him. Dick was the only one who
could speak out straight and defy him, and he appreciated it."

"I am helpless," cried the rector, throwing up his hands and turning
away. "I know the path I should follow, but it is barred, and the way I
am traveling is accursed."

"Then I must act alone, John. Good-bye. To-day must decide everything.
John, won't you kiss me--won't you say good-bye?"

He still turned his back upon her, more in sorrow than in anger. She
placed her gloved hand upon his shoulder appealingly, and turned a
woe-begone face.

"It will all come right, John."

He sighed, and embraced her like the broken man he was, and she left him
alone with his conscience.

And what a terrible companion that conscience had become! At times, it
was a white-robed angel beckoning him, at others a red imp deriding in
exultation, tormenting, wounding, maddening.

On the way to Asherton Hall, Mrs. Swinton framed a hundred speeches, and
went through imaginary altercations. By the time she arrived, she was
keyed up to a dangerous pitch of excitement, verging on hysteria. Nobody
saw her coming and she entered the house through the eastern
conservatory.

Herresford was back in the old bedroom, and Trimmer was there,
superintending the removal of the breakfast things. The daughter,
treading lightly, walked into the room, unannounced.

The old man looked up from his pillows, and started as if terrified.

"She's here again, Trimmer--she's here again," he whin