‘Yes,’ I answered quietly. ‘I am quite happy, thank you.’ ‘I do not know, of course, anything of your private affairs, neither have I the right to ask, but I don’t consider things are as comfortable here as they ought to be. I am only on a shooting excursion myself, and prepared to live “in the rough,” but even I could wish for a few more of the luxuries of civilisation. Mr. Lovett calls you his adopted daughter, still——’ ‘I am not his adopted daughter,’ I interrupted quickly, ‘nor have I any desire to be so. I do not know what motive he has in saying it. I pay for my board and lodging here, just as you do. Mr. Lovett offered me the home, after my mother’s death, and I accepted it, for the sake of rest and quiet. But I do not at all know how long I shall remain with them.’ ‘Is it so? The old gentleman made me understand quite differently. But I am very glad to hear you are independent, Hilda. Forgive me for being so bold as to say so; but I know of old what a proud spirit you have, and can imagine nothing more galling to you than to eat the bread of charity.’ ‘Nothing would have induced me to do so. I would have scrubbed floors first.’ ‘I am sure of it. Neither does our reverend friend appear to me to be in a position to extend hospitality to his friends. I have been assailed more than once since my sojourn here, by people entreating me to use my influence with him to make him pay what he owes them.’ ‘Have you really, Mr. Charteris!’ This was a subject on which I felt I _could_ speak with him—on which, too, he might give me some valuable advice. ‘Oh, it is no secret! The old man is in debt all over this town and a dozen others. I knew that before I had been here a week. But it is no concern of ours. All we have to do is to pay our way as long as it suits our convenience, and to leave him when it ceases to do so. But the old sinner has contrived to book me for the next two months, anyway!’ ‘How so?’ I demanded, with interest. ‘Why, the second or third day I was here—before I knew all this, you know—he asked me, as a great favour, to advance him fifty pounds—for something that he wanted on _your_ account, I believe.’ ‘On _my_ account!’ I cried, flaring up. ‘How _dared_ he? Oh, Mr. Charteris, I hope you will believe this is perfect news to me! I owe Mr. Lovett nothing. He is my trustee, and has all my money in his own hands. It was shameful of him to use my name in the matter!’ ‘Now, don’t agitate yourself in that fashion. I knew at once it was a ruse of the old boy’s, but it was not my business to say so, and it made no difference to me if he had the money in advance or not.’ ‘And you paid him fifty pounds for two months’ board!’ I said incredulously. ‘Something like it. I believe the agreement was that I should pay five pounds a week.’ At this I could not help laughing. ‘You must be very rich to be able to afford to throw your money away in that way.’