"But I must have a private talk with you," she said. "And I can't get that in my own house, without fussing and making mysteries." Owen was already acquainted with the main incidents in May's young life; but Mrs. Dobbs proceeded to give him the history of her own daughter's marriage, and a sketch of her son-in-law Augustus. "I'm not speaking in malice," she said; "but the real truth about Captain Cheffington must always sound severe. As a general rule, I never mention his name. But it is right and necessary that you should know what manner of man May's father really is; because only by knowing that can you understand how it is that the responsibility of guiding her rests wholly and solely on my shoulders." "It could not rest on worthier ones," said Owen. "Ah! There we differ. It's a shame that the darling girl--such a lady as she is in all her ways and words and innermost thoughts--should have no better guidance than that of an ignorant old body like me. However, 'tis as vain to cry for the moon to play ball with, as to get honour or duty, or even honesty, out of Augustus. There's the naked truth." "Mrs. Dobbs, I can say from the bottom of my heart, that if ever good came out of evil it has come to May. She has been thrown out of the hands of a worthless father into those of the best of grandmothers. But I suppose I ought to write to Captain Cheffington under the present circumstances?" Mrs. Dobbs shook her head. "I wouldn't if I was you," she said. "I only thought that, since with all his faults he is fond of his daughter----" "_Is he_?" interrupted Mrs. Dobbs, opening her eyes very wide. "Oh! Well, that's news to me." "Of course, his fondness is not judicious. But still, as he has not much money, he must make some sacrifice to pay a handsome sum to Mrs. Dormer-Smith for having May with her in London." "He pay! Lord bless your innocent heart!" "Does he not? May told me he did." "Ah! May thinks so. You see I have thought it right to keep some respect for her father in her mind--for her sake." "Then if Captain Cheffington did not furnish the money, who did?" asked Owen. Had May been present, one glimpse of "granny's" face, blushing like a girl's to the roots of her hair, would have betrayed the truth to her. But Owen did not guess it so quickly. After a minute or so, however, as Mrs. Dobbs remained silent, he added rather awkwardly-- "Did you pay the money?" "Look here, young man," answered Mrs. Dobbs. "You must give me your word of honour that you'll never let out a syllable of this to May, without I give you leave;--else you and me will quarrel." Owen took her broad, wrinkled hand in his, and kissed it as respectfully as if he had been saluting a queen. "I promise to obey you," he said. "But you make us all look very small and selfish beside you!"