"Nothing is impossible to a woman who has set her heart on finding out what she wants to know. Neil refused to tell me, papa refused, you refused in the meanest manner. Well, I have found out--from Mrs. Jent." "She never told you!" cried Heron, agitated. "Not of her own free will. I got it out of her. But I know now what is the matter. Ah, I see you don't believe me; you are still incredulous. Just listen, then. Neil's real name is Jenner; his mother killed his father, and is now in gaol. Am I right?" "Perfectly." He was relieved to find that she did not know the worst. "I congratulate you on your diplomacy." "I thought you were going to use a nastier word. I am sure you were tempted to." "No, believe me----" "How can I believe you when you behave as you have done? Why are you here instead of in Paris?" "Because when I saw Webster I found he was very ill. Someone had to look after him, and I seemed to be the right person just then. You would not have had me leave the poor fellow to die?" "No." Ruth held out her hand, which he seized eagerly. "On the whole I think you are a very good man, Mr. Heron. But why did you tell me that you were in Paris, and that Neil also was abroad?" "I did so at his request. He considered that he had given your father enough trouble, and knowing that in all probability he would have a long illness, he asked me to conceal his whereabouts, so that Mr. Cass should not come down." "Oh, I understand. But about yourself, why did you hide?" "In the first place I wanted to look after him. In the second, I did not wish to see you." "Oh, thank you!" cried Ruth, highly indignant. "Don t misunderstand me, he said, anxious Neil told me his story--the story you have got out of Mrs. Jent--and I did not feel justified in allowing anything so terrible to reach your ears. I knew that I was as wax in your hands, and that you would probably force me to tell; so I judged discretion to be the better part of valour, and kept away." "I see. But I don't think your discretion will serve you in the long run. Here is a seat, and there are few people about. Now, Mr. Heron, sit down and tell me everything from the beginning." "Oh, but----" "I won't have any 'buts' about it," said Ruth, peremptorily. "I know the worst, but I know it only in fragments. I want to know the whole." "Why?" asked Heron, taking his seat beside her. "Can't you guess? Oh, you are stupid. Why, to help poor Neil, of course." "Ah! You are still in love with him!" said Heron, with a jealous pang. "No, I am not. I found out long since that I loved someone else better. Oh, I am not going to tell you his name. I have my secrets as well as you. But I still like and admire Neil in spite of his misfortunes, and I want to help him. You are doing that already, and I admire you for it. Well, we will work together." "I should like nothing better. But," Geoffrey hesitated, "can I trust you? The secret isn't mine, you know."