He stopped her mouth with a kiss. "I know what you are going to say," was his half-laughing, half-serious remark, "and, indeed, my love, I am not worthy of you. But now I am a man, and I intend to put away all childish things--by which I mean the follies of youth. I have done nothing very wrong, Sybil. Indeed, my wickedness has been of the mildest description. I understood Mrs Gabriel to say that I was her heir, and so I thought I had a right to spend money. I overstepped the mark, and I own my fault. I should have been more sensible, but, indeed, Sybil, it is difficult for a man brought up in luxury to know when to stop. If my home had only been made more attractive to me, I should never have behaved so foolishly. But that page of my life is turned down now. It will close with the payment of this three hundred pounds, and henceforth I shall try and deserve your love." "That is right, darling. But don't you think it would be better to get Mr Pratt to see your mother and induce her to give you the money than take it from Sir Frank?" "No, my dear," said Leo, decidedly; "if my mother thinks that I am able to pay the money myself, she will be afraid lest she will lose me altogether and be more amenable to reason. I have arranged it all with Pratt. Hale is to lend me the money next week. I pay my debts. Then I shall get him to speak to Mrs Gabriel." "Does Mr Pratt know that Sir Frank proposes to lend you the money?" "No; I did not tell him that at Frank's special request. I merely said that I would put off paying the matter for a month. In the meantime he will speak to my mother." "It seems all wrong," said Sybil, with a sigh. "I can't help thinking that you are behaving foolishly." "I hope not, Sybil. But I must manage Mrs Gabriel somehow. I cannot have her treating me so badly. Sometimes she really seems to hate me. When my debts are paid I shall look about and see what I can do to earn my own living. I am half inclined to enlist in the Yeomanry." "Leo! Leo! Don't do that!" Sybil seized his arm. "I should lose you." "My dear, it is the only thing I am fit for. My mother would not let me have a profession, and I am not clever enough to make money. I should have gone into the army long ago. Indeed, it was my wish, only Mrs Gabriel would not consent. I think my father must have come of a fighting stock, Sybil, as I feel so inclined to be a soldier." "The Haverleighs were always simple country squires, Leo. I have heard my father speak of them often. There were no soldiers amongst them!" "Then I don't know where my aunt got her fierceness. By the way, Sybil, don't you get mixed by the many different ways I refer to that lady; I call her my mother, my aunt, and very often Mrs Gabriel." "I think the last name suits her best," said Sybil, "she is such a hard woman. Still, she has been kind to you, Leo."