"I say what I think will influence you," Paul was answering. "Ferdie has already thrown the boy about once; he may do it again. Of course at such times he is not responsible; but these times are increasing, and he must be brought up short; he must be brought to his senses." He went to the sofa, sat down beside her, and lifted her in his arms. "My poor little sister, do trust me. Ferdie does; he wrote to me himself about that dreadful time, that first time when he hurt you; isn't that a proof? I will show you the letter if you like." "I don't want to see it. Ferdie and I never speak of those things; there has never been an allusion to them between us," replied Cicely, proudly. "I can understand that. You are his wife, and I am only his big brother, to whom he has always told everything." He placed her beside him on the sofa, with his arm still round her. "Didn't you know that we still tell each other everything,--have all in common? I have been the slow member of the firm, as one may say, and so I've stayed along here; but I have always known what Ferdie was about, and have been interested in his schemes as much as he was." "Yes, he told me that you gave him the money for South America," said Cicely, doubtfully. "That South American investment was his own idea, and he deserves all the credit of it; he will make it a success yet. See here, Cicely: at the first intimation that he is worse, I should go down there myself as fast as boat and train could carry me; I've telegraphed to that Dr. Knox to keep me informed exactly, and, if there should be any real danger, I will take you to him instantly. But I feel certain that he will recover. And then we must cure him in another way. The trouble with Ferdie is that he is sure that he can stop at any moment, and, being so sure, he has never really tried. The thing has been on him almost from a boy, he inherits it from his father. But he has such a will, he is so brilliant--" "Oh, yes! isn't he?" said Cicely, breathlessly. --"That he has never considered himself in danger, in spite of these lapses. Now there is where we must get hold of him--we must open his eyes; and that is going to be the hard point, the hard work, in which, first of all, _you_ must help. But once he is convinced, once the thing is done, then, Cicely, then"-- "Yes, then?" --"He will be about as perfect a fellow as the world holds, I think," said Paul, with quiet enthusiasm. He stooped and kissed her cheek. "I want you to believe that I love him," he added, simply. He got up, smiling down upon her,--"Now will you be a good girl?" he said, as though she were a child. "I will wait until to-morrow," Cicely answered, after a moment's hesitation. "Come, that's a concession," said Paul, applaudingly. "And now won't you do something else that will please me very much?--won't you go straight to bed?"