Bessie was crouching over the fire with her chin in her hand when she heard the sneck of the garden gate, a quick step on the gravel, a light knock at the front door, a familiar voice in the lobby, and then old Miss Ethel saying behind her: "A gentleman to see you, Bessie." Her heart did not leap up as before, and she did not rise with her former alacrity, but Alick Gell came into the room like a rush of wind. "What's this--unwell?" he cried. "It's nothing! I shall be better in the morning," she said. "Of course you will." And then, after a kiss, Gell sat on a low stool at Bessie's feet, stretched his long legs towards the fire, and began to pour out his story. He had seen Stowell and the matter had turned out just as she had expected. Splendid fellow! Best chap in the world, bar none! "But what do you think, Bess? The most extraordinary coincidence! Dear old Vic, he has been busy falling in love, too! Fact! Fenella Stanley, daughter of the Governor! Magnificent girl, and Vic is madly in love with her! So there's to be no heart-breaking on either side, and that's the best of it. Makes one think there must be something in Providence, doesn't it?" He was laughing so loud that the china in the room rang, but Bessie was turning cold with terror. "And .... what about your father?" she faltered. "My father?" "Well .... to tell you the truth there was a bit of a breeze there," he said, and then followed the story of the scene at the Speaker's. "But no matter! I'm not without money, so we can be married at once, and the sooner the better." "But Alick," she said (he was stroking her hand and she was trying to draw it away), "do you think it's best?" "Best? Why, of course I think it's best. Don't you?" She did not reply. "Don't you?" he said again, and then, getting no answer, he became aware that she, who had been so eager for their marriage before he went to Ballamoar, was now holding back. "Bessie," he said, "has anything happened while I've been away?" "No! Oh no!" "You're .... you're not thinking of the loss of the income, are you?" "No, no; 'deed!, no!" "I knew you wouldn't. When my father taunted me with that, saying you would give me up as soon as you knew my allowance was gone, I said, 'Not Bessie! I'll trust her for that, Sir.'" Bessie began to cry. Alick was bewildered. "What is it, then? Tell me! Are you .... are you thinking of Stowell?" At that name she was seized by the mad impulse which comes to people on dizzy heights when they wish to throw themselves over--she wanted to blurt out the truth, to confess everything. But before she could speak Alick was saying, "I shouldn't blame you if you were. I'm not his equal--I know that, Bessie. But even if he were free I shouldn't give you up to him now. No, by God, not to him or to anyone."