t Verschoyle had been brought face
to face with himself in this way, since it had brought about such a
revulsion in his mind? He presently decided what course he would take,
and went on:--

"Look here, Verschoyle. I intended last night to ask you to let me help
you in some way, and only delayed until this morning because I wanted to
reflect a little as to the best means of doing so. We will go into that
later on. I will only say now that you need be under no anxiety as to
the money. I have a good income--more, a great deal, than I desire to
spend--and there is a large surplus lying idle at my banker's just now.
Use it to set yourself straight with the world, old fellow"; then, as
the other made a gesture of dissent: "Let me have my say. You shall
repay me when you have made your way--as a man of your ability is sure
to do. Nonsense, you have your mother and sister to consider, you know."

"My poor mother and Madge. Meredith, you could never imagine what my
sister has been to us."

"Couldn't I?" thought Meredith.

"She has kept us going the last six months; and though the pressure was
growing heavier and heavier, she never----What a selfish brute I have
been!"

"Come, it's something to recognise that!" thought Meredith. "There's
some hope for you, after all"; adding to the other: "We will get these
bills settled at once, and then we can see what you are most inclined to
turn to."

The two young men went down together, and found breakfast awaiting
them--a more varied and bountiful repast than had been set before them
the previous evening, Sally having run down to an adjacent farmhouse for
supplies. The two breakfasted together alone. Mrs. Verschoyle kept her
room till later in the day, and her daughter, who was superintending in
the kitchen, had only time to look in with a morning greeting.

After breakfast the two young men held consultation together, then set
off for the town, called at the lawyer's office there, and sent off
sundry telegrams. When they returned to the Priory later in the day, it
was explained that Meredith had been helping Laurence with his advice on
business matters.

"He is the best old fellow in the world, Madge--acting with the noblest
generosity! I think all our troubles will soon be over now," said
Laurence to his sister when they were alone.

"Generosity! Oh, Laurence, you won't take his money?" she ejaculated, a
ring of sharp pain in her voice. "Not his money!"

"I won't take advan