as something in the girl's tone--half fearful, half
suspicious--which warned Jervy that he was treading on dangerous ground.
He knew perfectly well what he proposed to do, in the case that had been
so plainly put him. It was the simplest thing in the world. He had only
to make an appointment with Mrs. Farnaby for a meeting on a future day,
and to take to flight in the interval; leaving a polite note behind him
to say that it was all a mistake, and that he regretted being too poor
to return the money. Having thus far acknowledged the design he had in
view, could he still venture on answering his companion without reserve?
Phoebe was vain, Phoebe was vindictive; and, more promising still,
Phoebe was a fool. But she was not yet capable of consenting to an act
of the vilest infamy, in cold blood. Jervy looked at her--and saw that
the foreseen necessity for lying had come at last.

"That's just the difficulty," he said; "that's just where I don't see my
way plainly yet. Can you advise me?"

Phoebe started, and drew back from him. _"I_ advise you!" she exclaimed.
"It frightens me to think of it. If you make her believe she is going to
see her daughter, and if she finds out that you have robbed and deceived
her, I can tell you this--with her furious temper--you would drive her
mad."

Jervy's reply was a model of well-acted indignation. "Don't talk of
anything so horrible," he exclaimed. "If you believe me capable of such
cruelty as that, go to Mrs. Farnaby, and warn her at once!"

"It's too bad to speak to me in that way!" Phoebe rejoined, with the
frank impetuosity of an offended woman. "You know I would die, rather
than get you into trouble. Beg my pardon directly--or I won't walk
another step with you!"

Jervy made the necessary apologies, with all possible humility. He had
gained his end--he could now postpone any further discussion of the
subject, without arousing Phoebe's distrust. "Let us say no more about
it, for the present," he suggested; "we will think it over, and talk
of pleasanter things in the mean time. Kiss me, my dear girl; there's
nobody looking."

So he made peace with his sweetheart, and secured to himself, at the
same time, the full liberty of future action of which he stood in need.
If Phoebe asked any more questions, the necessary answer was obvious to
the meanest capacity. He had merely to say, "The matter is beset with
difficulties which I didn't see at first--I have given it up."

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