interested her. She never wished to think of
Heeler's any more. It was like another part of her life--a part she only
wanted to forget.

The Beggar Man had turned to the door.

"Well, good-bye," he said constrainedly.

Another moment and he would be gone, she knew, and, in desperation,
Faith took a quick step towards him....

"Nicholas ... will you ... I want you to stay at home."

She was crimson, and she could not meet his eyes; but she knew his were
upon her, and her heart seemed to stop beating while she waited for his
answer.

It was a long time coming. Then the Beggar Man said, very gently:

"I am sorry. I am afraid it is quite impossible, Faith."

She drew back at once.

"Oh ... very well!" she said blankly, and the next moment he had
gone....

Faith stood for some seconds staring at the closed door. She felt as if
someone had struck her across the face.

It was the first time she had ever definitely asked a favour of him, and
he had refused!

Peg, coming into the hall, noticed her pallor.

"What's the matter, little 'un?" she asked in concern, but Faith would
not answer. She went upstairs to her room, and after a moment Peg
followed.

"What's up?" she asked again. "Anything I can do?"

There was a momentary silence, then Faith said, in a queer, cold little
voice:

"Yes. Come in; I want to speak to you."

Peg obeyed. There was an amused smile hovering round the corners of her
mouth. "I'm all attention," she said. "Fire away."

Faith's hands were trembling and she clasped them together to hide the
humiliating fact.

"I've been thinking," she said, with an effort. "I've been thinking
that--that though you've been very kind, I...." She could not go on.

Peg looked up, a gleam of fire in her eyes. She knew without further
words what it was that Faith was trying to tell her.

"You mean you want me to clear out?" she said bluntly.

Faith wavered for a moment; then she thought of the way in which
Forrester had refused her request five minutes ago, though yesterday he
had been so easily persuaded by Peg. "You need not put it like that,"
she said hoarsely, "but ... yes, that is what I mean."

The crimson blood swept Peg's face and died away again, leaving her as
white as marble. It was the last thing of which she had ever dreamed
that this child--this baby--would ever turn her out of the house!

Her loyal heart felt as if it must burst with shame and pain, but she
shrugged her shoulders wit