s that she did not look as ill and frail as he
had dreaded. She was sitting by the window, and the room was full of
flowers, which Peg had bought with his money, and Faith wore a black
frock, bought with his money also!

She started up when she saw him, the colour rushing to her face. She
looked past him furtively to the door, but evidently realized how
hopeless were her chances of escape, for she sat down again resignedly,
though her soft, childish face took a curiously hard expression.

"I am glad you are better," said the Beggar Man. He was very nervous; he
stood against the door, the width of the room between them, his hands
deep-thrust into his pockets so that he should not yield to his impulse
to go across to her and take her into his arms. A deep pity for her
surged into his heart. She was his wife, but she was only a child, and
they were almost strangers.

"Peg has been very good to you--to all of us," he said, hoping to
soften her. "I like your friend Peg," he added kindly.

Faith did not move or answer.

"I wanted to speak to you about the future," he went on desperately.

She raised her eyes then; such frightened eyes they were.

"My future has nothing to do with you," she said. "I can go my own
way--I don't want any help."

He moved away from the door, dragged a chair up and sat down beside her.

"You're talking nonsense, and you know you are," he said very quietly.
"You are my wife, and the law is on my side. I don't want to be harsh or
unjust, but I can force you to come away with me this moment if I
choose--not that I intend to," he added, meeting her terrified eyes,
"because you are going to be a sensible little girl, and we are going to
be very happy together. I want to do all I can for you. I want to give
you everything in my power. I have found a school for the twins--a
school where they will be well looked after and cared for, and ...
Faith!"

She had started to her feet. She was shaking in every limb, her face
white.

"You dare to try and take them away," she panted, fear of him swallowed
up in her greater fear of losing the twins. "They belong to me! They are
mine! They're all I've got in the world. I'll never let them go, never,
never!" She broke down into violent sobbing. "Peg promised me she would
help me keep them away from you. I suppose she's broken her word," she
panted.

"Peg is a sensible woman," said Forrester shortly. With all his pity and
affection for her, he was losing