e, just as he'll stand by and help you,
just as he helps everybody--Tom Moulton's daughter for one, that he
picked up on the streets of London and sent home to her mother. If he'd
killed Sam Lawson, who ruined her, he'd have given him what he deserved;
and if he kills this man Dalton, he won't give him half what he deserves
or what's coming to him sooner or later. Dalton isn't fit to live. He
got Sir Carroll O'Day all tangled up so that his character and all his
money was hanging by a thread, and then, when Mr. Felix gave up what he
had to save Sir Carroll, Dalton coaxed you away. You didn't know that,
did you? But it's true. That man Dalton ruined Mr. Felix's father. Oh,
I know it all--and I have known it for a long time. Stephen told me all
about it. No, don't stop me, my lady! I'm your old Martha, who's nursed
you and sat by you many a night, and I'll never stop loving you as
long as I live. I don't care what you do to me or what you have done to
yourself. Your leaving Mr. Felix was like a good many other things you
used to do when you were crossed. You would have your way, just as your
father will have his way, no matter who is hurt. What Lord Carnavon
wants, he wants, and there is no stopping him. Anybody else but his
lordship would have hushed the matter up, instead of ruining everybody.
But that's all past now; I don't love you any less for it; I'm only
sorrier and sorrier for you every time I think of it. Now we've got to
make another start. Stephen'll help and I'll work my fingers to the bone
for you--and Mr. Felix'll help most of all."

Except for the gesture of surprise when Dalton's part in the ruin of
her husband's father was mentioned, Lady Barbara had listened to the
breathless outburst without moving her head. Even when the words cut
deepest she had made no protest. She knew the nurse's heart, and
that every word was meant for her good. Her utter helplessness, too,
confronted her, surrounded as she was by conditions she could neither
withstand nor evade.

"And if he comes, Martha," she asked in a low, resigned voice, "what
will happen then?"

"He'll get you out of this--take you where you needn't work the soul out
of you."

"Pay for my support, you mean?" she asked, with a certain dignity.

"Of course; why not?"

"Never--NEVER! I will never touch a penny of his money--I would rather
starve than do it!"

"Oh, it wouldn't be much--he's as poor as any of us. When Stephen saw
him last, all he had wa