Kitty had always been fond of Francis Eversleigh, and as she caught one or two of these glances of his, and knew the secret of his anxiety, she pitied him and smiled at him encouragingly. Like the other members of the Eversleigh household, she had noticed for weeks how poorly he had looked. Now, as she sat at table with him she told herself she knew why it was--he had been carrying in his breast the knowledge of his partner's crime. She felt so sorry for him, that for a time she almost forgot how black her own future was likely to be. After dinner she and Eversleigh withdrew from the dining-room together, and went into the library. This move excited no surprise in the others, who supposed it accounted for by there being some fresh development with regard to her late father's affairs which required immediate attention. Eversleigh left it to Kitty to begin the conversation. "Mr. Bennet was here this afternoon," she said, steadily; "and he told me something which astonished and pained me more than I can express." Kitty stopped, expecting Eversleigh to speak, but he only looked at her sorrowfully. "He told me," said Kitty after a pause, "that some house property of his, which was entrusted to your firm, had been sold without his consent or knowledge, and that the money had been misappropriated. Is it true?" "I regret to have to answer, Kitty, that it is too true," replied Eversleigh, falteringly. "It is only too true," he repeated, shaking his head sadly, "too true." "Won't you tell me all about it?" asked the girl. "I do so wish to help you if I can," she cried earnestly. "Kitty, you are, as you always have been, a dear sweet girl," responded Eversleigh, with twitching lips and tears standing in his eyes; "but I am afraid you can do nothing." "Perhaps I can. But let me know, will you not, how this frightful thing has come about?" she urged. "It is a dreadful story, a shameful story, Kitty. I have tried to act for the best----" He broke off with a sob. "I shall never believe you were guilty of anything criminal!" she exclaimed. "I did not steal the money; you are right, if that is what you mean, dear; but the law will hold me guilty." "I did not imagine for a single instant that you had taken any one's money wrongfully. Mr. Bennet said that you told him the money was taken by Mr. Silwood." "Yes, yes," returned Eversleigh; "that is true." "Besides yourself and Mr. Bennet and me, does any other person know about this--trouble?" "No, not a soul." "Then it is only Mr. Bennet you have to fear?" "Yes; but is that not sufficient?" "I am afraid it is. Still, if there was to be found a way of satisfying him, would that release you from further worries of the same kind?"