“No, no; but I can arrange it. I can get time, and time is everything in these matters. Things are going to improve presently, and the property will be worth a great deal more money than this. Leave it to me, will you?” “You are very kind,” said the squire in a low voice. “Not at all. I’m doing it for Olivia, don’t you know! But I say, I must ask you to keep it quiet.” The squire looked up inquiringly. “I mean, don’t mention it to any one--not to Faradeane, for instance.” “It is not the kind of thing one talks about,” said the squire, slowly. “I should certainly not mention it to Faradeane or any one else.” Bradstone nodded with an air of satisfaction. “All right; I’ll do the best I can, depend on it; and don’t you worry about it. Mr. Rowle, Mowle, or whatever his name is, will find he has a business man to deal with, and alter his tune, no doubt.” The squire sighed. “If one could only wipe out one’s past!” he said. “Oh, there’s no use in crying over spilt milk,” responded Bartley Bradstone. “Shall we go in to the ladies now?” “You go,” said the squire. “I will take a turn on the terrace with Faradeane.” Bartley Bradstone’s face darkened. “Oh, very well,” he said, with a curt nod, and left the room. Olivia looked up from the book she was supposed to be reading as he entered the drawing-room. “Where are papa and Mr. Faradeane?” she said. “On the terrace,” he replied, speaking in a low tone, so as not to awaken Miss Amelia, who was sleeping the sleep of the just in an armchair. “He is rather out of sorts to-night.” She looked at him apprehensively. “He is in trouble. Has he told you?” she asked, below her breath. He drew a chair near hers, and sat down, bending close over her, his eyes resting on her lovely face with a hungry and cunning regard. “Well, yes, he has. Do you know what it is?” She shook her head. “No. Will you tell me?” “A man has come down upon him for a large sum of money,” he said. “A man named Mowle.” She drew a sharp breath, and her face grew pale. Then she looked at him quickly. “But--but I thought----” His face did not change, and he shrugged his shoulders. “I know. You mean that I told you I had got all the debts. Well, I thought I had, but I must have missed these somehow. At any rate, this fellow has got them, and he wants them paid, and the squire can’t see his way----” “Oh, poor papa, poor papa!” she breathed. He ventured to take her hand. “Don’t be cut up about it,” he said in a low voice. “I have promised to see the man and arrange with him.” She raised her eyes to his, and her face grew crimson. “That--that is good of you,” she said. “No, no. Of course I’d do anything. It will keep the man off for a time; but----” He stopped. “But?” she said, anxiously. “The money must be paid before long, you know,” he went on, “and--and----See here, Olivia, it rests with you.” “With me?” faintly. He nodded, keeping his eyes upon the carpet.