She interrupted him with quiet dignity. "Certainly I do not think of any such thing. You and Dr. Abbott are both very kind to consider me in this way, but really you must not be troubled about this silly gossip. I am not exactly dependent upon the good people of Corinth, you know. I can go back to the city at any time. Perhaps," she added slowly, "considering everything that would be the wisest thing to do, after all. It was only for Grace Conner's sake I have remained." Dan spoke eagerly again, "But you do not need to leave Corinth. This talk you know, is all because of your companion's reputation." "You mean," she said quietly, "the reputation that people have given my companion." "So far as the situation goes it amounts to the same thing," he answered. "It is your association with her. If you could arrange to board with some family now--" Again she interrupted him. "Grace needs me, Mr. Matthews." "But it is all so unjust," he argued lamely. "The sacrifice is too great. You can't afford to place yourself before the community in such a wrong light." The young woman's face revealed her surprise and disappointment. She had grown to think of Dan as being big and fine in spirit as in body, and now, to hear him voice, what she believed to be the spirit and policy of his profession, was a shock that hurt. She would have flashed out at him with scornful, cutting words, but she felt, intuitively, that he was not being true to himself in this--that he was forced, as it were, into a false position by something deep down in his life. This feeling robbed her of the power to reply in stinging words, and instead gave her answer a note of sadness. "Are you not advocating the doctrines and policy of the people who are responsible for the 'wrong light' rather than the teachings of Christ? Are you not now speaking professionally, having forgotten our agreement to leave the preacher on the other side of the fence?" The big fellow's embarrassment was evident as he said, "Miss Farwell, you must not--you must not misunderstand me again. I did not mean--I cannot stand the thought of your being so misjudged because of this beautiful Christian service. I was only seeking a way out." "No," she said gently, "I will not misunderstand you, but there is only one way out, as you put it." "And that?" "My ministry." Dan sprang to his feet and crossed the room to her side. "What a woman you are!" he exclaimed impulsively. She arose, trembling; always when he came near--something about this man moved her strangely. "But my way out will not help you," she said. "You must think of your ministry." "I thought we agreed not to talk of that," he returned.