‘Take me with you, poor, shy little boy!’ laughed Maud; ‘I’ll see you’re not bullied.’ ‘I should like to take you well enough; only I’m to be her guest, and couldn’t bring a sister very well.’ ‘How did she know to write to you?’ ‘The agent told her I was acting for Tor.’ ‘Oh; and how is Tor, Phil? You never speak of him.’ ‘He’s much the same; very queer and seedy. I must go and see after him one of these days.’ ‘Everybody says you ought to bring him to England to be doctored,’ said Maud, flushing up a little. ‘It makes me quite angry, but they keep on saying that you ought not to leave him alone, and ill, when he did so much for you. I know it’s all right if _you_ do it; but I can’t stop people’s mouths, and it is so horrid. I wish you would bring him over, Phil.’ ‘I will, as soon as ever I can; but he is not well enough yet to travel. He is under one of the best men in Germany, and I don’t believe any English physician could do more for him. Don’t you worry over what people say, little sister. I know that you will trust me through thick and thin, and that is all I care for.’ ‘I will, I do!’ cried Maud, with enthusiasm; and Mrs. Lorraine’s gentle voice added: ‘I think nobody who really knows dear Philip could do otherwise.’ Tor looked pleased, and bent down to kiss his aunt. ‘I think I have made at least two staunch friends, who will stand by me through everything.’ ‘Of course!’ cried Maud, with energy; ‘but why should you talk as if you might need people to stand by you? And why don’t you kiss me too?’ He laughed, and turned again to his letter. ‘I’ll write at once, and fix to-morrow. Best get the business over as early as possible.’ So his note was written accepting Miss Marjory’s hospitality; and Tor made a few preparations, consulted Bradshaw, and arranged to leave in the morning and return the following afternoon. ‘I hope this affair will not lead to any more complications,’ he said to himself, when seated in the train. ‘I have quite enough on my hands without that; but I don’t see how it can. Not a soul there knows me, so I think I may feel quite safe.’ CHAPTER XVI. AN ODD INTERVIEW. Miss Marjory had got her way, and Mr. Debenham was coming down that very day, to see about the business in hand.