Biddy pursed her lips. "Faith, and it's meself that's afraid, ye'll find the answer to that only too soon, Miss Dinah dear!" she said solemnly. "I can't tell ye the straight truth. Ye wouldn't believe me if I did. Ye must watch for yourself, me jewel. Ye've got a woman's intelligence. Don't ye be afraid to use it!" It was the soundest piece of advice that she had ever heard from Biddy's lips, and Dinah accepted it in silence. She had known for some time that Biddy had small love for Sir Eustace, but it was evident that the precise reason for this was not to be conveyed in words. She wished she could have persuaded her to be more explicit, but something held her back from attempting to gain the information that Biddy withheld. It was better--surely it was sometimes better--not to know too much. They met Scott as they turned out of the drawing-room, and Biddy's grim old face softened at the sight of him. He paused: "Hullo! Going to Isabel? Has she had a good rest, Biddy?" "Glory to goodness, Master Scott, she has!" said Biddy fervently. "That's all right." Scott prepared to pass on. "Eustace hasn't gone, I suppose?" "No, he is in there, waiting for you." Dinah detained him for a moment. "Scott, he--I think he is going to--to let that man off with a light sentence." "What?" said Scott. "Dinah, you witch! How on earth did you do it?" He looked so pleased that her heart gave a throb of triumph. It had been well worth while just to win that look from him. She smiled back at him. "I don't know. I really don't know. But,--Scott"--she became a little breathless--"if--if he really wants me to-morrow, I think--p'raps--I'd better go." Scott gave her his straight, level look. There was a moment's pause before he said, "Wait till to-morrow comes anyway!" and with that he was gone, limping through the great room with that steady but unobtrusive purpose that ever, to Dinah's mind, redeemed him from insignificance. "Ah! He's the gentleman is Master Scott," said Biddy's voice at her side. "Ye'll never meet his like in all the world. It's a sad life he leads, poor young gentleman, but he keeps a brave heart though never a single joy comes his way. May the Almighty reward him and give him his desire before it's too late." "What desire?" asked Dinah. Biddy shot her a lightning glance from her beady eyes ere again mysteriously she shook her head. "And it's the innocent lamb that ye are entirely, Miss Dinah dear," she said. With which enigmatical answer Dinah was forced to be content. CHAPTER IX THE BURDEN Sir Eustace was standing by the window of the little boudoir when his brother entered, and Scott joined him there. He also lighted a cigarette, and they smoked together in silence for several seconds. Finally Eustace turned with his faint, supercilious smile. "What's the matter, Stumpy? Something on your mind?" Scott met his look. "Something I've got to say to you anyway, old chap, that rather sticks in my gullet."