"So, as I didn't know anyone else, I went to Mrs Miggles out there on the cliff, and told her how I was situated. She wouldn't help me at first. She said I was to tell you; but when I told her I dared not, and promised her I'd pay her very regularly, she came round, and she went up to London by the coach and fetched baby, and a great expense it was to me, for she had to come back inside. Do open the window, Claire; this room is stifling." Claire slowly crossed the room and threw open the window and then returned to stand gazing at her sister. "And your little innocent child is there at that fisherman's hut on the cliff?" "Yes, dear," said May calmly; and then, for the first time, her face lit up, and she showed some trace of feeling as she exclaimed: "And, oh, Claire dear, she is such a little darling." Claire looked at her in a strangely impassive way. It was as if the story she had heard of her sister's weakness and deception had stunned her, and, instead of looking at her, she gazed right away with wistful eyes at the past troubles culminating in Fred's enlistment, and then that horror, the very thought of which sent a shudder through her frame. And now this new trouble had come, one that might prove a terrible disgrace, while the future looked so black that she dared not turn her mental gaze in that direction. "Well," said May, at last, "why don't you speak--though you need not, if you are only going to scold." "Why have you come to tell me this now--this disgraceful story of deceit and shame?" "Do you wish to send me back broken-hearted, Claire--crying my eyes out so that Frank is sure to know?" "I say, why have you come to me, May?" "Because I am in dreadful trouble at last, and don't know what to do. I daren't communicate with those people or go near the cottage, for I'm sure Frank is watching me and suspecting something." "You will have to confess everything, May; he loves you and will forgive you." "But he doesn't love me, and he never would forgive me," cried May excitedly. "You can't think how we quarrel. He's a horribly jealous little monster, and I hate him." "May!" "I don't care: I do. Now, look here, Claire, it's of no use for you to boggle about it, because you must help me. If it were to come out it would be social ruin for us all, and I've had quite enough poverty, thank you. I dare not go and see the little thing again, and if some one does not take the Miggleses some money regularly, likely as not they'll turn disagreeable and begin to talk. I shall bring you money, of course, and as some one must go and see that my poor darling is properly cared for, why you must." "I?" "Yes, dear, you. The poor little thing shall not be neglected, I'm determined upon that; and as my situation prevents me, why it is your duty, Claire." "Who knows that this is your little girl, May?" said Claire coldly. "Nobody." "Not even the fisherman's wife?"