ieved that he's as good as
provided for by you--eh? Did you speak?"

"No," said Rushbrook, quietly regarding the statue as if taking its
measurement for a suitable apartment for it. "Go on."

"Well," said Leyton, a little impatiently, "that's the belief everybody
has, and you've not contradicted it. And on that we've taken the
responsibility of not interfering with Somers's attentions."

"Well?" said Rushbrook, interrogatively.

"Well," replied Leyton, emphatically, "you see I must ask you positively
if you HAVE done anything, or are you going to do anything for him?"

"Well," replied Rushbrook, with exasperating coolness, "what do you call
this marriage?"

"I don't understand you," said Leyton.

"Look here, Leyton," said Rushbrook, suddenly and abruptly facing him;
"Jack Somers has brains, knowledge of society, tact, accomplishments,
and good looks: that's HIS capital as much as mine is money. I employ
him: that's his advertisement, recommendation, and credit. Now, on the
strength of this, as you say, Miss Nevil is willing to invest in him; I
don't see what more can be done."

"But if her uncle don't think it enough?"

"She's independent, and has money for both."

"But if she thinks she's been deceived, and changes her mind?"

"Leyton, you don't know Miss Nevil. Whatever that girl undertakes she's
weighed fully, and goes through with. If she's trusted him enough to
marry him, money won't stop her; if she thinks she's been deceived,
YOU'LL never know it."

The enthusiasm and conviction were so unlike Rushbrook's usual cynical
toleration of the sex that Leyton stared at him.

"That's odd," he returned. "That's what she says of you."

"Of ME; you mean Somers?"

"No, of YOU. Come, Rushbrook, don't pretend you don't know that
Miss Nevil is a great partisan of yours, swears by you, says you're
misunderstood by people, and, what's infernally odd in a woman who don't
belong to the class you fancy, don't talk of your habits. That's why she
wants to consult you about Somers, I suppose, and that's why, knowing
you might influence her, I came here first to warn you."

"And I've told you that whatever I might say or do wouldn't influence
her. So we'll drop the subject."

"Not yet; for you're bound to see Miss Nevil sooner or later. Now, if
she knows that you've done nothing for this man, your friend and her
lover, won't she be justified in thinking that you would have a reason
for it?"

"Yes. I should give it