“She had a perfect right to do so; there was no reason for any secrecy in the matter. I am very glad that you have known of it. You are so kind a friend that I should not like you to be ignorant of anything nearly relating to my father or myself.” “It is very good of you to call me a friend,” Francis answered. It seemed to him as if some angelic creature was stooping from her own proper sphere to place herself for a brief interval by his side. “It is very good of you to take any interest in my welfare; and I feel that you are right. The life I lead is utterly idle and useless; but it shall be so no longer. Your father has very generously offered me a grand opportunity of turning both my time and money to account.” “My father? But how?” “He has offered me a partnership in his own house.” “A partnership?--a partnership in his difficulties--his liabilities?” cried Maude, in a tone of horror. “Those difficulties were only temporary. The thirty thousand I advanced have wiped out all liabilities, and your father’s business stands on a firmer basis than ever.” “_Thirty_ thousand! You have lent papa thirty thousand pounds?” “I have not lent it, my dear Miss Hillary. I have only invested it in your father’s business. There is no obligation in the matter, believe me; or if there is, it is all on my side. I get a higher rate of interest for my money than I should get elsewhere.” He stopped suddenly, for Maude had burst into a passion of sobs. “Oh, how could he do it? How could he?” she cried. “How could papa take so mean an advantage of your generosity? I love him so dearly, that it almost kills me to think he should be base or dishonourable. I thought the twenty thousand pounds would soon be paid, and instead of that he has borrowed more money of you.” “My dear Miss Hillary, pray, pray do not distress yourself. Believe me you misunderstand this business altogether. It is not a loan. It is only an equitable and friendly arrangement, quite as advantageous to me as to your father. Upon my word of honour you do Mr. Hillary a cruel wrong when you imagine otherwise.” Maude dried her tears, and listened to the voice of her consoler. She was so anxious to think well of her father, that she must have been something more than an ignorant, inexperienced girl, if she shut her ears to Francis Tredethlyn’s arguments.