"Oh, being a parson's daughter, I have naturally a spice of the devil in me, and a certain fellow-feeling to sinners. All men are sinners, you know," she added, with a laugh; "even my paragon of a nephew, John Temple!" "What about him?" asked Henderson, sharply. "Oh, he posed a great deal as a saint, but I don't quite believe in it all. Now sit down and tell me about Miss Churchill. Do you suppose she was induced to run away by John Temple?" "How can I tell?" answered Henderson, darkly, with lowering brow. "There was something in his manner--I don't know what--that led me to believe that he knew more of the matter than he chose to say. Of course he didn't run away with her; but I wonder if he knows where she is." "I know nothing." "Well, I want to find out. He promised to write to his uncle when he went away, and if I get you his address, do you think you would do something to oblige me, Mr. Henderson?" "I will do anything," replied Henderson, eagerly, grasping at the meaning of her words. "Well, you see, a lady can't make certain inquiries, but a young man can. If I got you John Temple's address could you go and find out what he is doing? If in fact he has joined Miss Churchill? If he has been seen with her? "Get me the address and I will go," said Henderson, with such a fierce gleam in his brown eyes that Mrs. Temple drew back rather alarmed. "Mind, I'll have no quarreling," she said; "only I want to know if John Temple is speaking the truth. His uncle spoke to him about this Miss Churchill, of course, disapprovingly, and he said there was nothing between them, and would not be. But how can we tell? He may have married her secretly for anything we know." "If I thought--" began Henderson, passionately. "Now don't speak and look like that, or I won't give you the address! I am going to have no throat-cutting. All I want to know, is John Temple speaking the truth? If you can find out this quietly, I will regard you in future as a friend, and treat you as such in spite of Mrs. Grundy." Henderson's lips moved convulsively, but with a great effort he controlled himself. He could only find out Temple's address through Mrs. Temple, and therefore he must not frighten or quarrel with her. "Very well," he said, "get me the address, and I'll find out all I can about him. And--if you'll treat me as a friend I will be grateful--for I want one." And he held out his hand, which Mrs. Temple took. "You'll live it down, no fear," she answered; "I've always pitied you. But you had better go now, for my lord and master sometimes does not hold my views. But when John Temple writes to his uncle I will forward his address to you at once. And now, good-by."