“I hope you’ll pardon me if I speak of something--something that is--well, that concerns you very closely. I do it only because I believe in Mr. Briggs, and because I care for his future and for his happiness, and for yours, if you’ll let me say so.” “Thank you, Mr. Farley,” said Helen, softly. “You’ve been very good to Douglas. He has often spoken of all you’ve done.” “Oh, that’s nothing. But--he has told me all about that man West.” Helen looked up, startled. “He hasn’t spared himself. He has even made the case out worse than it is.” “He has told you?” Helen repeated. Farley nodded. “Of his own accord?” “Yes.” “And you still--? You----?” “Yes, I believe in him. I believe he has been punished for whatever wrong he has done. And I can’t see why a man’s whole future should be spoiled because he has made a mistake at the start. There are plenty of men in public life who have made mistakes like his--men who were young and inexperienced. Some of them have since done fine work.” “Why have you spoken to me about this, Mr. Farley?” “Because--well, because I know--that is, I suspect, from what Mr. Briggs has said, that you’re not in sympathy with his public life.” “That is true. I haven’t been, lately.” “And I thought perhaps if you looked at things a little differently----” “I shouldn’t be so harsh?” Helen interrupted, her face flushing. “That is what you mean, Mr. Farley, isn’t it?” “No, not that,” Farley replied, growing more embarrassed. “I thought perhaps you’d help him to get back where he belongs, that’s all. It’s going to be a hard fight. Most men wouldn’t have the nerve to make it. But he has, if you’ll help him.” Helen’s eyes filled with tears. “You make me ashamed, Mr. Farley. If you can forgive him, after all you’ve done for him----” Farley laughed. “Oh, I haven’t done half so much as you think, Mrs. Briggs. I’ll feel repaid if you’ll only make him see that he ought to stay in the fight.” He heard steps in the hall and Briggs’s voice speaking to the reporter. A few moments later, Briggs entered, looking more cheerful. “Well, it wasn’t half so bad as I thought. Nice fellow. One of those young college men. He was so ashamed of his assignment I had hard work to put him at his ease.” Farley offered his hand. “Now I must be off, Mrs. Briggs.” “Come in to-morrow, Farley,” said Briggs. “I want to have a talk with you.” XXV When Farley had left the room Briggs sank on the couch. Now that he was alone with Helen, all his buoyancy disappeared. His face looked haggard; the hard lines around his mouth deepened. Helen rose and sat beside him. “Douglas,” she said. He did not reply. “I couldn’t say anything while they were here,” Helen went on, “but I’m sorry. Perhaps it’s all for the best.”