"Kitty," said Eversleigh, speaking with much emotion; "Kitty, I shall not pretend not to understand what you refer to when you talk of finding a way to satisfy Bennet. He told me what he intended doing--how he was to disclose to you that my fate was in his hands, and to declare to you he would not prosecute me if you would promise to marry him. It seems to me a monstrous proposition--that you should sacrifice yourself for me. No, Kitty, you must not marry him. You must leave us to our fate." As Eversleigh said these words, there was a ring in his voice that had long been absent from it. He really meant what he said. "I shall not leave you and the others to their fate," cried Kitty; "you are all dear to me--and then," she said shyly, "there is Gilbert. Mr. Bennet declares Gilbert will be involved in your ruin; that is," she added gently, "if you were found to be a party to--irregularities; then, in that case he would be compelled to give up the Bar." Eversleigh nodded gloomily. "I fear that would be so," he said with a gasp. "Gilbert is dearer to me than myself," Kitty went on, blushing a little, "and I must save him if I can." Neither spoke for a few minutes. "You are a brave, heroic woman," said Eversleigh, at last. "But Gilbert will never consent to your sacrificing yourself in this way." "Gilbert need not know until you are safe out of Bennet's grasp," suggested Kitty. "And do you not see that I am between two fires," she continued; "so that I must yield myself? If the worst befall you, then you, dear Mrs. Eversleigh who has been a mother to me, your sons and your daughter, will be made miserable for ever! Oh, I cannot think of it! And then there is my love for Gilbert! No," she sighed in a whisper; "I cannot ruin him." "You are a noble girl," said Eversleigh, with deep feeling; "but I, we--even Gilbert--have no right to expect such a sacrifice from you, Kitty." The girl did not at once reply. Instead she gazed thoughtfully at him. "I wonder if there is no other way of satisfying Mr. Bennet?" she asked. "I do not know of any." "Could you not take the money you owe him out of my fortune? Oh, I would give him the half of all I possess--nay, the whole of it, if that would satisfy him."