‘I am telling my story very badly,’ said Tor. ‘I forget how little you know. Phil has lately come into a large property. The great-uncle, out of whose way he was so carefully kept, ended by leaving all to him; and, of course, he was written for urgently. He was hopelessly unconscious when the summons came, and the prevailing impression left on my mind by the study of various letters was, that unless somebody with a head on his shoulders went over at once to see to things for him, the brute of an uncle I have mentioned before, would feather his nest well out of the property, which he would manage as next of kin, and would probably force Phil’s sister into a marriage with his son, in order to secure her fortune to his family. Phil couldn’t give me powers to act for him, and the scheme of personating him flashed into my head, and I acted upon it before I had really time to think the question seriously over. Besides, I thought then, that he would be sure to come to himself in a few weeks’ time, to relieve me of the burden of his affairs; and now it seems as though an indefinite time might pass before he recovers, and I’m getting precious tired of playing the part.’ ‘You are not acting from interested motives? You are dealing fairly by your friend?’ questioned Miss Marjory, with some little sternness. ‘Don’t be offended at the question; for, you know, you have placed yourself in a very awkward position.’ Tor admitted this readily and fervently; but a little more explanation convinced her that his motive had been disinterested enough, and that he was guarding Phil’s interests jealously. Miss Marjory was interested, and listened attentively whilst he enlarged upon his story, and gave fuller details of the situation. Maud’s position was explained, and Miss Marjory was quick enough to detect more in Tor’s voice than in his words. ‘I suppose you are in love with Phil’s pretty sister yourself?’ she said sharply. ‘And are pretending to be her brother all the while, so that you cannot try your luck with her?’ Tor coloured through his bronze, but did not deny the soft impeachment. ‘You have put yourself in a very awkward position,’ repeated Miss Marjory. ‘You will have to be very careful how you act.’ ‘I am very careful,’ said Tor. ‘I never lose sight of the fact that sooner or later the truth will be known. And when she looks back upon our intercourse, under the new light, I do not think she will have any cause to say that I have taken an unfair advantage of my position. I am as cautious and reserved as I can be, without exciting suspicion.’ ‘You are quite right, young man,’ said Miss Marjory, with emphasis. ‘Always act like a man of honour, as your father did. You will never have cause to regret it if you do.’ ‘I hope I shall never be tempted to do otherwise,’ said Tor, smiling; ‘though I suppose, in the eyes of the law, I should be a felon now, if I were detected.’ ‘A felon!’ echoed Miss Marjory.