"I distrust a man who takes a woman's money in a reckless and selfish way," Heron said impetuously. "That is a man I would not trust. Don't trust him, Miss Grey; believe me, he is a cad--I mean a selfish and deceitful fellow. I can't bear the thought of a girl like you being sacrificed--or sacrificing yourself as you might do perhaps--and I tell you that he is just the sort of man----" "Are you speaking of Mr. Blanchet now, Mr. Heron?" Her tone was cold and clear. She was evidently hurt, but determined now to have the whole question out. "Yes, I am speaking of Blanchet, of course--of whom else could I be speaking in such a way?" "Mr. Blanchet is my friend, Mr. Heron; I thought he was a friend of yours as well." "Well, I thought he was a manly, honest sort of fellow--I don't think so now," Victor went on impetuously, warming himself as he went into increasing strength of conviction. "I know you will hate me for telling you this, but I can't help that. I am as much interested in your happiness as if--as if you were my sister--and if you were my sister, I would just do the same." It would indeed be idle to attempt to describe the course of the feelings that ran through Minola's breast as she listened to the words of this kind which he continued to pour out. But out of all that swept through her--out of shame, surprise, anger, grief, the one thought came uppermost, and survived, and guided her--the thought that she had only to leave Heron's appeal unanswered, and her secret was safe for ever. She made up her mind, and was self-contained and composed to all appearance again. "Let us not say any more about this, Mr. Heron; I am sure you mean it as a friend; and I never could allow myself to feel offended by anything said in friendship. I am sorry you have such an opinion of Mr. Blanchet; I have a much better opinion of him; I like him better than I like most men; but you know we have just agreed that I ought to be called 'Miss Misanthrope,' and I assure you I mean to do my very best to deserve the name. No--please don't say any more--I had rather not hear it indeed; and if you know anything of women, Mr. Heron, you must know that we never take advice on these matters. No; trust to my earning my name of Miss Misanthrope; but don't tell me of the demerits of this or that particular man. I had rather hate men in the general than in all the particular cases--and how long we must have talked about this nonsense, for here is the gate of the park; and Mary Blanchet will be thinking that I am lost!" They almost always parted at this park gate. This time he felt that he must not attempt to go any further with her. She smiled and nodded to him with a manner of constrained friendliness, and went her way, and Heron's heart was deeply moved, for he feared that he had lost his friend. CHAPTER XIX. MR. ST. PAUL'S MYSTERY.