Kate shrugged her shoulders. ’I should pay him out in his own coin.’ ’Like Charles at the circus?’ Kate coloured. ’That was another matter altogether. Mr. Langford had no right to put such a price on his forbearance. Besides, I don’t believe in Charles’s guilt. Sam does not, and, thick as some folks think Sam, he has as much brains as are wanted to fill a large skull, and these of first quality. Sam can see into a millstone.’ ’Yes, Kate, but what is in a millstone?—the same as outside.’ ’Sam says that he knows Charles is innocent.’ ’What reasons does he give?’ ’Oh, none at all. I did not ask for any. _He_ thinks it, that is enough for me.’ ’He _thinks_ it, now; he knows it, a minute ago.’ ’I am quite sure that Charles never took the money.’ ’Why?’ ’There you are again with your "whys." Because Sam says it.’ ’Yes, dear Kate, Sam is a good-hearted fellow, who will not think badly of anyone, and he supposes others are as straightforward as himself.’ ’You have a dozen splendid reasons for thinking Charles a thief, and not one of them convinces me. I don’t know why, except that Sam is so positive; but I will scratch all the silver off my looking-glass if I am wrong. Charles did not take the money.’ Honor said no more. It was useless arguing with Kate, and nothing was gained if she did convince her. The girls worked on for a few minutes in silence; then Kate burst out with, ’After all, I do not see anything so dreadful in becoming Mrs. Langford. One cannot have everything. Taverner has not the youth and looks of—say Sam Voaden, but Sam Voaden has no money of his own, and Mr. Langford can roll in money when his back itches. Langford is a very fine property still, and the house is first-rate. If I take Sam at any time—I don’t say I shall—I shall have to put up with poverty. If you take Taverner Langford you must put up with ugliness. You can’t catch herring and hake at one fishing.’ Then she burst into a ringing laugh. ’It will be worth while marrying him only for the fun of making Larry Nanspian call you aunt.’ Honor winced, but Kate was too tickled by the idea to observe her sister’s face. ’When is it to be, Honor? It is mean of you to be so secret about the day. I am your sister, and I ought to know.’ ’I only do not tell you because you cannot keep a secret, and I wish no one to know till all is over. Some morning when nothing is expected, it——’ She shivered and turned her face to the wall. ’I will not blab. I will not, indeed, dear.’ ’Some day this week. Well, if you must know, Thursday. Pray be secret; you will only add to my pain, my shame, if it be known, and a crowd of the curious be assembled to see. _He_ also wished it to be kept from getting wind. Indeed, he insisted.’