"I like that"--coolly. "Brabazon plays the fool--or knave, rather"--with a sudden harshness in his voice--"borrowing money which he knows he can't repay, apparently--and it's my fault! Not having enough sins of my own, I suppose you think you can saddle me with Tony's, too. Many thanks." He bowed mockingly. "You're the older man," persisted Ann. "You ought not to have made it possible--easy for him to play beyond his means. Brett, please--will you give him time to pay? As"--with an effort she swallowed her pride--"as an act of personal friendship to me?" "You still haven't answered my question. Supposing I agree, supposing I do give him another six months, how is he going to get the money by then--unless that old curmudgeon of an uncle of his shells out for him?" Ann shook her head. "He won't," she said. "I know that." "Then how is the young fool going to find the money in the time? Tell me that." "He _will_ find it," said Ann quietly. "I can't--tell you how. But if you'll wait six months, I'll give you my personal guarantee that the money shall be paid." Brett's eyes narrowed again in sudden concentration. "_Your_ personal guarantee?" "Yes, mine. If you'll wait six months--or even _three_"--urgently. "Oh, Brett, you will wait?" "'Even three,'" he repeated thoughtfully. Suddenly he threw up his head and laughed. "I see it--it's as clear as daylight! I believe"--smiling blandly--"you are proposing to marry Coventry next month. At least, I'm told that's the programme. And I suppose you count on paying off Tony's debt--with Coventry's money. Is that it? What a charming arrangement!" Ann felt her colour rise till her whole face and neck seemed scorching with the hot rush of blood. "Whatever the arrangement would be, you may be sure it would be a perfectly fair one," she said steadily. "Nor does it concern you so long as you get the money owing to you." "On the contrary, it would concern me very much to be paid off with Coventry's money. I shouldn't like it a bit. He's got the woman I want--and he can keep his damn money!" Sick as she felt under the insult of his manner, Ann forced herself into making yet another appeal. "Brett, please be merciful! Put me outside the matter altogether. It isn't a question of you and me. It's Tony. And"--her voice breaking--"I want to save him." "I think it's very much a question of you and me," he retorted. "You asked me just now to extend the time of payment 'as an act of personal friendship to you.'" She was silent, Inwardly writhing under the lash of his tongue. She wondered if Tony would ever know or guess all that this interview had cost her. "I know I did," she acknowledged at last in a low voice. Brett appeared to meditate a moment. Suddenly he looked across at her with eyes that sparkled dangerously. "I won't take Coventry's money," he said deliberately. "But I tell you what I will do--I'll let _you_ liquidate the debt." "I?" She glanced at him swiftly. "I? How can I?"