as he can arrange
it--within the next few days possibly. He has settled a very generous
income on you and your little sisters for life! A most generous income,
which, he asked me to say, he hopes will in some measure make amends for
your--your ... unfortunate marriage, for which he blames himself
entirely."

Faith listened, but the words sounded like so much foolishness, and
after waiting a moment Mr. Shawyer went on again, not looking at her.

"He also asked me to say that as soon as it is possible he will set you
free, without annoyance or unpleasantness to yourself."

He stopped again and raised his eyes apologetically.

The girl's face was pathetic in its shocked pallor, and she broke out
with wild incoherence, unconsciously using the very same words which the
Beggar Man had once spoken to her.

"But ... but it's not possible to stop being married, like that, for no
reason!"

Mr. Shawyer smiled cynically.

"No reason," he echoed. "Well...." and he shrugged his shoulders.

There was a long silence; then Faith asked with stiff lips:

"And is that--all?"

"I think so, unless there is anything you would suggest, any request you
have to make."

"No." She stood there, twisting her hands together childishly, trying to
understand the thing that had fallen upon her; then suddenly she broke
out passionately:

"The twins don't want me.... They're quite happy. They don't want me any
more. Where can I go?"

Mr. Shawyer did not answer. Against his better judgment he was conscious
of a most unwilling pity for this girl. He knew the whole story now, had
heard it that morning from Forrester's lips, so perhaps it was not
altogether without intention that presently he said quietly:

"My dear child, there is ... Mr. Digby!"

Faith flushed scarlet from her throat to her hair. Such an expression of
revolt and fear crossed her face that for a moment she no longer looked
a child, but a woman who has lived a lifetime of bitter experience.

"If you knew--how I ... hate him," she said, and quite suddenly she
broke down, hiding her face in her hands, her slender body shaken with
passionate sobbing.

Mr. Shawyer rose. He made her sit down, and stood beside her, keeping a
hand on her shoulder.

"My dear," he said, "I am an old man, and you are only a child! Is it
too late for me to try and put things right between you and your
husband?"

Faith shook her head.

"He hates me ... he'll never forgive me ... last night ...