'Yes, she believes it all. He did it very well. As far as I'm concerned he's behaved most honourably.' Peggy had the air of giving a handsome testimonial. 'She asked me no questions; she never thought I had anything to do with it; she just flew at me with the letter. You can't think what a difference it makes! She holds up her head again.' 'Is it quite fair?' he asked doubtfully. 'Yes, yes, for the present,' Peggy insisted. 'Perhaps she might be told some day.' She looked at him significantly. 'Some day? How do you mean?' 'When she can bear it.' Peggy grew embarrassed as the ground became more difficult. 'If ever other things made her feel that what had happened didn't matter, that now at all events people valued her, or--or that she'd rather owe it to somebody else than to herself or her own luck.' He did not mistake her meaning, but his face was still clouded; hesitation and struggle hung about him still. Neither by word nor in writing had Peggy ever thanked him for what he had done; since she had kissed his hand and left him, nothing had passed between them till to-day. She guessed his mind; he had done what she asked, but he was still miserable. His misery perhaps made the act more splendid, but it left the future still in shade. How could the shade be taken away? She gathered her courage and faced the perilous advance. 'You'll have observed,' she said, with a nervous laugh, 'that I didn't exactly press my--my contribution on you. I--I rather want it, Airey.' 'I suppose you do. But that's not your reason--and it wasn't mine,' he answered. 'Is it there still?' She pointed to the safe. He nodded. 'Take it out and give it to me. No, give me just--just twenty-five.' 'You're in a saving mood,' remarked Airey grimly, as he obeyed her. 'Don't shut the safe yet,' she commanded hastily. 'Leave it like that--yes, just half-way. What ogreish old bolts it's got!' 'Why not shut it?' he objected in apparent annoyance. Did the sight of its partial depletion vex him? For before Peggy could go to Fricker's, some of its hoard had gone to Tommy Trent. 'There's something to put in it,' she answered in an eager timid voice. She set her little bag on the table and opened it. 'You gave me too much. Here's some back again.' She held out a bundle of notes. 'A thousand pounds.' He came slowly across to the table. 'How did you manage that?' 'I don't know. I never thought of it. He just gave them back to me. Here they are. Take them and put them in.'