"You've got to," said Stanley. "What alternative is there? None. So let's bother no more about it. I'll consult with those who know, find out what the thing costs, and arrange everything. You're as helpless as a baby, and you know it." Yes, Mildred knew it. He looked at her with an amused smile. "Come, out with it!" he cried. "You've got something on your mind. Let's get everything straight--and keep it that way." Mildred hung her head. "You're uneasy because I, a man, am doing this for you, a young woman? Is that it?" "Yes," she confessed. He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and spoke in a brisk, businesslike way. "In the first place, it's got to be done, hasn't it? And someone has got to do it? And there is no one offering but me? Am I right?" She nodded. "Then _I_'ve got to do it, and you've GOT to let me. There's logic, if ever there was logic. A Philadelphia lawyer couldn't knock a hole in it. You trust me, don't you?" She was silent. "You don't trust me, then," said he cheerfully. "Well, perhaps you're right. But you trust yourself, don't you?" She moved restlessly, but remained silent. "You are afraid I might put you in a difficult position?" "Something like that," she admitted, in a low, embarrassed voice. "You fear that I expect some return which you do not intend to give?" She was silent. "Well, I don't," said he bluntly. "So put your mind at rest. Some day I'll tell you why I am doing this, but I want you to feel that I ask nothing of you but my money back with interest, when you can afford to pay." "I can't feel that," said she. "You're putting me in your debt--so heavily that I'd feel I ought to pay anything you asked. But I couldn't and wouldn't pay." "Unless you felt like it?" suggested he. "It's honest for me to warn you that I'm not likely to feel that way." "There is such a thing as winning a woman's love, isn't there?" said he jestingly. It was difficult to tell when Stanley Baird was jesting and when he was in earnest. "Is that what you expect?" said she gravely. "If I say yes?" She lowered her eyes and laughed in an embarrassed way. He was frankly amused. "You see, you feel that you're in my power. And you are. So why not make the best of it?" A pause, then he said abruptly and with a convincing manliness, "I think, Mildred, you can trust me not to be a beast." She colored and looked at him with quick contrition. "I'm ashamed of myself," said she. "Please forget that I said anything. I'll take what I must, and I'll pay it back as soon as I can. And--thank you, Stanley." The tears were in her eyes. "If I had anything worth your taking I'd be glad to give it to you. What vain fools we women are!" "Aren't you, though!" laughed he. "And now it's all settled--until you're on the stage, and free, and the money's paid back--WITH interest. I shall charge you six per cent."