"Really, Tempest," began I, losing my head and blundering I scarcely knew whither, "when you saw me talking to Crofter--" He uttered an angry exclamation. "There, now, shut up about your friend Crofter. I don't want to hear about him." "He's not my friend, Tempest; he's--he's yours." He wheeled round in his chair and laughed bitterly. "It's a queer time to joke," said he, with a laugh that cut me through. "It's no joke, Tempest. You don't know what he's done for you." "Don't I? I fancy I do." "About the bills," said I, faltering, "you know." "Ah! don't come here to tell me about that." "It was all of his own accord he paid them." "He what?" shouted Tempest, springing from his chair and facing round. "Paid them, you know; at least, I paid them for him." "You? Paid?" and he caught me by the collar and shook me like a puppy. "You said you knew," gasped I. "Paid my bills! You say that blackguard had the cheek to--" "He got me to do it; it was his money, though." He groaned as if some one had wounded him. A crimson flush of shame and mortification overspread his face, and for a moment he stared at me speechless. Then he pulled himself together and strode out of the room. Utterly bewildered and half terrified, I followed him. What had I done to offend him? Had all the trouble of the term turned his head? To my alarm he made straight for Crofter's study. No one was there. He turned and saw me. "Tell Crofter I want him at once." I departed with my heart in my mouth. At the foot of the staircase I met Crofter. "Tempest wants to see you," said I; "he sent me to--to ask you to come." "He doesn't know?" inquired Crofter. "Yes--I told him--I--I thought I ought to let him know." Crofter laughed his sweet laugh. "If I had wanted it known all over Low Heath," said he, "I could hardly have done better than tell you to keep it a secret. I'd much sooner he had not known. However--where is he?" "In your study, I think." I felt constrained to follow. Crofter evidently was expecting to be the recipient of an outburst of effusive gratitude. I had not the courage to disabuse him. He walked pleasantly and graciously into his study, where Tempest stood, flushing and biting his lips, awaiting him. "Is this true what that youngster says, that you've had the--that you've paid bills of mine?" "I'm sorry he told you, Tempest. I thought it might get you out of a difficulty, and I--" "And you expect me to thank you! Take that, for daring to meddle in my affairs!" And he struck Crofter on the cheek--not a hard blow, but one which sent the recipient reeling across the room with astonishment. For a moment I expected a fight. Crofter, however, pale, but smiling still, declined the challenge. "You'll be sorry, I'm sure," said he, as coolly as he could. "I only wanted to do you a good turn, and--"