"Two thousand pounds! Great Scott! where did you get it from? I didn't know there was so much money in all your family." "There, again, you were mistaken. I got it from an aunt who died--not long ago." "When did she die?" "Oh, about six months ago." "What was her name?" "The same as mine--Harding." "Was she an aunt by marriage?" "She was my father's sister." "A spinster? But I thought you told me that none of your father's relatives had two pennies to rub together." "So I thought; but I was wrong. At any rate, when she died she left me about two thousand pounds." "You've kept it pretty dark." He was staring at her as if altogether amazed; she smiled at him as if amused by his surprise. "I have; I've told nobody--not even Nora." "Doesn't Miss Lindsay know?" "She doesn't. Nobody knows--except you; and I shall be obliged by your respecting my confidence." "I'll respect your confidence; but--of all the queer starts! What fibs you've told!" "I know I've told some; in a position like mine, one had to. But I'd made up my mind that you shouldn't know I had money, and--you didn't know." "I certainly did not; I scarcely realize it now; I wonder if you're joking." "No, I'm not joking." She shook her pretty head, with a grave little smile. Her face looked white in the moonshine. "Can you touch the capital? Is it in the hands of trustees? Or do you only have the income?" "It is not in the hands of trustees; it is entirely at my own disposal; I can get it when I want." "All of it?" "All of it." He drew a long breath, as if moved by some new and sudden strength of feeling. "Can you--can you get two hundred pounds before next Tuesday?" "I can, and I will--if you want it. You are sure you want it?" "Elaine, if--if you will I'll--I'll never forget it." "You shall have it on Monday if you like." He covered his face with his hands, seeming to be shaken by the stress of a great emotion. She drew closer to him, as if frightened; her voice trembled. "Herbert, what--what is wrong?" Uncovering his face, clenching his fists, he stared straight in front of him, resolution in his eyes. "Nothing now--nothing!--and there never shall be anything again!--thank-God. Thank God! Considering what sort of mess it was that I was in, I didn't dare to ask God to help me out of it; but He's done it without my asking Him. Elaine, upon my word I believe it's true that God moves in a mysterious way." Elaine, hiding her face against his shoulder, burst into tears, which surprised him more than anything which had gone before. She was not a girl who cries easily, yet now she was shaken by her sobs. Putting his arms about her, he strove to comfort her, showering on her endearing epithets. "My sweet, my dear, my darling, what troubles you? Don't you--don't you want me to have the money? You have only to say so; I shan't mind."