"I can find none," she replied frankly, "and I have searched everywhere." Quite unconsciously she thus for the first time revealed the secret trouble which was so crushing her. "Do not think me rude or interfering, dear Mrs. Waring" (how the name seemed to choke him!), "but are you left in difficulties?" "I don't think so--besides, he will come back soon. But why do you ask? Have you any reason?" "I am afraid people will think it is business difficulties that have made him go." "But the business is prospering." "Still you need some capital to go on with." "The business, I am sure, is all right, besides if I were pressed I have a little of my own." That morning she had found the key of Ralph's desk in her pocket. It had startled her at the time, for Ralph must have placed it there; and now, taking it from her pocket, she rose, went to the high desk standing in the corner, and unlocking it produced the bank book. She opened it quickly, took one glance and then closed it with a sob. Ralph had drawn the whole of the money out as recently as the previous Monday. She put the book from her with a shudder; it was like the death certificate of her husband's honour. A paper had fallen out of the desk, and mechanically she stooped to pick it up, praying as she did so for strength to appear calm. Stephen was watching her closely, a struggle going on in his own heart too. "Is the account all right?" he asked. "No," then another sob. Oh, for strength! Why could she not make herself be calm? She looked at the paper in her hand, and more because she thought it might give her time to master her feelings than for anything else, she said, "Can you tell me what all these figures are about?" Stephen took the paper and looked at it for a long time and then said, in a strained voice, "It is a statement Ralph has drawn out showing exactly how the business stands, with a list of all debtors and creditors. If you could get most of the debts in you would still need three hundred pounds to keep affairs going." "I cannot tell how it is; everything is so dark." "But if you will let me help you," he pleaded, "all will come right. I can easily lend you what you need." For an instant, like a vision, there came to her a feeling of restfulness, and she looked up to his face, bending over her, with eager trustfulness. What a safe strong arm his would be to lean on! But instantly she put the temptation from her; it would not be right to accept his help remembering what Mrs. Colston had said, and the sweet light which had arisen went suddenly out, leaving the darkness deeper than before. "No," she said firmly, "I cannot accept your help." "But what will you do?" "I cannot tell, but in some way God will help me. And surely Ralph will come back soon!" "I do not think so."