"Coming, aunt," said Hugh, opening the door and going down to the second story; "do you want me?" "Yes, will you come into my room, dear." The two went in and the door was closed. Aunt Faith's room was like herself, old-fashioned and pleasant; the sunshine streamed in through the broad windows across the floor, and the perfume of the garden filled the air. Hugh took a seat on the chintz lounge, and Aunt Faith having taken a letter from her desk, sat down in her arm-chair by the table. "I wish to consult you, my dear boy, on a matter of business," she said. "You know the condition of my property and the amount of my income, I am anxious to make some necessary repairs in that little house of mine in Albion, where poor Mrs. Crofts lives, a second cousin of mine, you remember, a widow with very limited means of support. The repairs ought to be made at once, and, just at present, I have not the money on hand; I could borrow it, of course, elsewhere, but I prefer to borrow it of you, the amount that came to you a week or two ago. Sibyl will need hers for her summer wardrobe, but you will have no use for yours at present, and on the first of August, I shall repay you; with interest," added Aunt Faith, smiling; "I am not sure but that I shall _pay_ twenty-five per cent." A flush rose in Hugh's face; he did not raise his eyes, but trifled with a piece of string. "Well, my dear?" said Aunt Faith in some surprise at his silence. "I am very sorry, Aunt," said Hugh in a low tone; "I have not got the money, I have spent it all." "Spent it?" echoed Aunt Faith in astonishment. "My dear boy, is it possible!" "Yes, it is all gone," said Hugh, with downcast eyes. A shade of trouble clouded Mrs. Sheldon's gentle face, and she sighed; the old heart-ache came back, the same pain which had assailed her on the first of June, her birthday, when doubts came thronging into her mind, doubts as to her own fitness for her position with its heavy responsibility of training five young souls in the path of duty and righteousness. "Hugh must have got into some trouble," she thought, "and something, too, which he has not confided to me. I fear it is a debt; perhaps a debt of which he is ashamed. Oh, my poor, poor boy!" Hugh did not speak, and at length his aunt said gently, "I fear you have had some debts, dear; if you had told me, I could have helped you before this." "I know you are always ready to help me, Aunt Faith." "Then it was a debt, Hugh?" "Yes; it was a debt, Aunt Faith," said Hugh gravely. "Is it all paid now?" "Yes; every cent. I have the receipt." "I am glad of that; but have you any other debts?" "No, not one," said Hugh, raising his eyes at last with a brighter expression. "I cannot tell you about that debt, Aunt Faith, but I _can_ tell you that it was no disgrace to me."