Carrie Leland blushed crimson, which was somewhat remarkable, as it was a thing she was by no means in the habit of doing. "Well," she said with a little musical laugh, "there was no reason why I shouldn't. It was my husband's." Then she rose impulsively, and, drawing up a footstool, sank down beside Eveline Annersly, and slipped an arm about her. "I think you know," she said. "At least, you have done what you could to bring it about for ever so long. We are friends at last, Charley and I." "That is pleasant to hear. Still, I'm not sure it would quite satisfy Charley. Haven't you gone any further?" Carrie's face was hidden as she replied, in a voice that quavered a bit. "I think we are lovers, too," she murmured. "Well," said her companion, "if he had known all I do, you might have been that some time ago. In fact, it would have pleased me if he had slapped you occasionally. If you had made him believe what you tried, it is very probable that you would never have forgiven yourself. But I think you ought to be more than lovers." Feeling a tremor of emotion run through the girl, she stooped and kissed her half-hidden cheek. Carrie looked up. "Charley is my husband--and all that is worth having to me," she said. "He is sure of it at last. I have told him so." She sat silent for a minute, and then turned a little and took out a letter. "It's from Jimmy," she said. "It was among Charley's papers, and he gave it to me when we came home." "He wants something?" said Mrs. Annersly, drily. "Yes," and Carrie's voice was quietly contemptuous. "Jimmy, it seems, is in difficulties again. If he hadn't been, he would not have written. Of course, it is only a loan." "You have a banking account in Winnipeg." "I have. I owe it to my husband's generosity, and I shall probably want it very soon. Do you suppose that, while Charley is crushed with anxiety and working from dawn to dusk, I would send Jimmy a penny?" "Well," said Eveline Annersly, reflectively, "I really don't fancy it would be advisable, but this is rather a sudden change on your part. Not long ago you wouldn't let me say a word against anybody at Barrock-holme." Carrie laughed in a somewhat curious fashion. "Everything has changed. All that is mine I want for Charley, and, while he needs it, there is nothing for anybody else." She stopped for a moment. "Aunt Eveline, there are my mother's pearls and diamonds, which I think I should have had. I did not like to ask for them, but I always understood they were to come to me when I was married. I don't quite understand why my father never mentioned them." Mrs. Annersly looked thoughtful. "I am under very much the same impression. In fact, I am almost sure they should have been handed to you. Still, what could you do with them here?" "I may want them presently." "In that case you had better write and ask for them very plainly."