"I'm all right, all right, father," she kept on insisting to her father's upbraiding of himself, now smiling through the tears which with difficulty she kept back, now patting his hand affectionately, always cheering him up. "You're a brave girl," he told her, when their interview was over, and pressed her hand for a long time to his lips. As Elinor was about to leave the Tombs, a young woman looking very much embarrassed slowly emerged from a recess in which there was a crowd of waiting visitors, and came towards her, saying: "You are Miss Ilingsworth?" Elinor shot a quick, distrustful glance toward the intruder, who, somehow, seemed very queenly to her, although there was nothing expensive about the woman's garments. She was dressed in simple black clothes. Elinor had hear of Tombs' angels, and presently decided that the woman must be one of them. "Yes," she answered, wondering what she wanted of her. "You don't know me," went on the woman, "but I have heard of you from--from friends of mine--that is, the Wilkinsons." "You refer to the Peter V. Wilkinsons, I suppose," returned Elinor, icily; and without waiting for an answer added: "They are no friends of mine, and you must excuse me.... You can't possibly have anything of interest to say to me," she finished, and started to go. But the stranger, advancing in such a way as to bar her passage, pleaded for a hearing. "I know that," she explained. "But I merely wanted to get your attention, wanted some excuse for my interference. I wanted to help you, if I could. I know more about New York--all about New York. I can assist you in many ways. Won't you let me?" she concluded insistently. Elinor was all attention. "You mean that you can help my father?" she inquired. The woman appeared to hesitate. At length she whispered "Yes." "But how can you?" "In many ways. I might be able to find some clue--anyhow, I want to help--him, of course, but particularly you." Elinor looked dubious; nevertheless she suggested: "Perhaps you'll come back and talk to him." Her new acquaintance shook her head. "Not now. But isn't there something I can do for you? Don't you need----" "Money?" Elinor said, taking the words out of the other's mouth. "We have money, thank you," and added half hurriedly, half in embarrassment: "Will you excuse me if I leave you. I have an engagement with our lawyer, and I'm late." The stranger laid her hand on Elinor's sleeve, and persisted: "But can't I come and see you--won't you tell me where you live?" There was something in the tone and action of the woman that Elinor resented, though she didn't know just what it was. "Really, I don't know what to say." "I'm sorry you're suspicious of me. I wish I could prove to you that I'm sincere. Please tell me where I can see you." "To-morrow, then, here," was Elinor's answer, and finally tore herself away. The moment she entered Leech's office, he broke out with: