He proceeded to give her further details. Told her of the contents of the letter, and then with raised eyebrows, said: "And now having fitted out three young men for life, am I to begin over again, and take in hand a young woman?" "It's ridiculous! She has no possible claim upon you, of course." "Not legally." "But morally, I suppose you are going to say! Thorold, I should like to shake you. Your conscience is swelled out like a big balloon! It's too big for your body altogether. Why will you take such delight in sacrificing yourself! Wasn't it last week you were telling me you hardly know how to live at the Manor? You've put down half the staff and economized in every way. How can you afford to adopt a penniless girl? Besides it wouldn't be proper. What's her age?" "Haven't an idea—something between fifteen and twenty, I suppose. She would have to go to school." "Not if she's over twenty. What a Don Quixote you are! Hadn't her father any relations?" "This female says she's penniless and friendless." Mrs. Wharnecliffe looked at him perplexedly and he laughed. "We are sent into the world to help each other, aren't we?" he said. "I'm going to inspect her to-morrow. Shall run up to town for a couple of days. But I'm scared of young women. Wouldn't you like to come with me?" "Now, Thorold, what on earth can you do with her? You go straight home and smoke your pipe. I will go up, and inspect her and report to you." He shook his head. "Can't trust you. I assure you I won't fall in love with her, or marry her." "But don't you see that you can't provide for her? That sort of thing isn't done. She's either a designing minx or an innocent babe. Either way, she's dangerous to a simple—" "Fool," put in Thorold. "Well, I think you are a bit of one sometimes." "We'll go up together by the ten express," said Thorold firmly, "and if she's old enough and strong enough to earn her own living, we'll find something for her." Mrs. Wharnecliffe laughed at him. "You sound so wise; but it's not so easy, my dear Thorold, to find work for young women nowadays. Remember the thousands of unemployed men. And I hold with giving them the first chance." "Will you meet me at the station to-morrow?" "I suppose I shall. You mustn't go up to town alone." And so it came to pass that the following day found them both in the Paddington express. They reached the dingy lodging-house in the Euston Road, and were told by a good-natured, stout landlady, that Miss Ward was out, and the young lady in. They were shown upstairs into a shabby sitting-room with folding doors. Nobody was there, but upon the round table was an exquisite bunch of white narcissus and pink hyacinths, the fragrance of which scented the room. A moment later, and the folding doors opened.