"I--I'm afraid I had lost sight of her," said Comethup. "Of course she doesn't understand, doesn't know any of the circumstances; I'd forgotten that. She's gone on, day by day, believing that all this money came from him; proud of him; glad that the world, as she thought, should shower its gold upon her clever husband, upon the man she loves. Yes, I'd forgotten all that." He spoke as if to himself, without noticing his companion. He saw in a moment that this thing he had built up for her sake was in danger of being swept away; that she might be left stripped and trembling in a desert, with all that had made her life perfect torn away from her. He thought of her proud and happy face when he had seen her but a little time since with her husband; saw again, far away from the street in which he walked, a little lonely child in a garden; heard himself, as a boy, tell the old captain that he meant to look after her. Comethup Willis was of the stuff of which the fabled knights might have been made--one who simply and earnestly and splendidly set before him a task to be done and did it without wavering or turning aside. His own pain, his own longing counted for nothing; the child of the old days seemed to be stretching out her hands to him and crying to him, as she had done years before when they had first met; the cry was not to be resisted. He looked up with a start and found the eyes of Mr. Robert Carlaw fixed upon him. "You say that it is possible--honourably--to get an advance from some one?" he asked. "The easiest thing in the world. Of course, there will be interest to be paid, and--and I've no doubt that the interest will be somewhat high; but that is a mere matter for arrangement. As I have said, the fact of your aunt's wealth is well known; the further fact that she has refused to have anything to do with any of her relatives but your fortunate self is equally well known. My dear nephew, in this world of ours if a man has anything substantial behind him it is the easiest thing in the world for him to get what he wants. I can take you to a man this very hour, if necessary, who will conduct the business for you. And, let me tell you another thing: for the future it is my fixed intention to insist upon it that there shall be no further extravagance. We must not run the risk of another crisis of this character. In a little time we shall be able to pull ourselves straight, to repay this money, and so--if I may suggest so much--put your conscience at rest. Whatever money is advanced can be paid back, and my good sister will know nothing of the transaction." "You are sure there is no other way?" asked Comethup. Mr. Robert Carlaw spread out his hands with an air of charming frankness. "Suggest one, my dear nephew, and I will instantly give you my opinion concerning it. Candidly, I can see no way so simple or so easy." "Very well," said Comethup in a low voice. "Let's go at once and get it over."