"Well, of course, this is scarcely the time. But it is something that can hardly wait, and you can decide about acting yourself----" She paused. It was the very hardest thing that she had ever had to do, and she would never forget it to the day of her death. But it was harder for Robin; he sat there with flaming cheeks and his head hanging--he could not look at his father. "It is to do with Robin--" Clare went on; "he was rather afraid to ask you about it himself, because, of course, it is not a business of which he is very proud, and so he has asked me to do it for him. It is a girl--a Miss Feverel--whom he met at Cambridge and to whom he had written letters, letters that gave the young woman some reasons to suppose that he was offering her marriage. He saw the matter more wisely after a time and naturally wished Miss Feverel to restore the letters, but this she refused to do. Both Garrett and myself have done what we could and have, I am afraid, failed. Miss Feverel is quite resolute--most obstinately so. We are afraid that she may take steps that would be unpleasant to all of us--it is rather worrying us, and we thought--it seemed--in short, I determined to ask you to help us. With your wider experience you will probably know the best way in which to deal with such a person." Clare paused. She had put it as drily as possible, but it was, nevertheless, humiliating. There was a pause. "I am scarcely surprised," said Harry, "that Robin is ashamed of the affair." "Of course he is," answered Clare eagerly, "bitterly ashamed." "I suppose you made love to--ah--Miss Feverel?" he said, turning directly to Robin. "Yes," said Robin, lifting his head and facing his father. As their eyes met the colour rushed to his cheeks. "It was a rotten thing to do," said Harry. "I have been very much ashamed of myself," answered Robin. "I would make Miss Feverel any apology that is in my power, but there seems to be little that I can do." Harry said no more. "I am really sorry," said Clare at last, "to speak about a business like this just now--but really there is no time to lose. I am sure that you will do something to prevent trouble in the Courts, and that is what Miss Feverel seems to threaten." "What do you want me to do?" he asked. "To see her--to see her and try and arrange some compromise----" "I should have thought that Robin was the proper person----" "He has tried and failed; she would not listen to him." "Then I am afraid that she will not listen to me--a perfect stranger with no claims on her interest." "It is precisely that. You will be able to put it on a business footing, because sentiment does not enter into the question at all." "Do you want me to help you, Robin?" At the direct question Robin looked up again. His father looked very stern and judicial. It was the schoolmaster rather than the parent, but, after all, what else could he expect? So he said, quite simply--"Yes, father."