‘Pooh, nonsense! what does the position matter, so long as the conscience is clear? You have done a foolish, romantic, boyish thing, in a freak of fancy, without counting the cost; but I don’t see that you have acted dishonourably in reality, only in outward show, and in a way that can easily be explained. So far as I can see, there is nothing to be regretted except the original decision, which, as you say, was made more in the spirit of jest than in earnest. It was a pity you ever began it—and yet I don’t know. Poor Maud might have fallen into the clutches of Belassis——’ and at the mention of that name Miss Marjory fell again into a reverie, from which she roused herself to conclude, ‘Perhaps all will turn out for the best.’ ‘I hope so,’ said Tor, who was rather more grave than usual, after putting into words, for the first time, the actual peril of his position. His secret, too, was not now entirely his own; and although he implicitly believed in Miss Marjory’s goodwill and reticence, he could not but feel that a new complication had arisen, as well as a new danger, in his marked likeness to his father, of which he had before been quite unconscious. ‘Don’t be down-hearted, Philip Debenham,’ said Miss Marjory briskly. ‘By far the worst of the danger is over. It isn’t likely anything will turn up now to disturb you; but if it does, just you let me know. I think I might be able to help you if it came to a talk of prosecution.’ ‘I don’t see how,’ answered Tor, with a smile that thanked her for her goodwill. Miss Marjory nodded her head and looked wise. ‘Evidence of this interview would be of distinct value to you,’ she remarked, ‘and your accounts would go far to show that you have acted perfectly honestly, as trustee rather than as owner. If you told your story, and I corroborated it, and it was known that you had told it me, when detection was not even threatened, that would go far towards proving the innocence of your intentions. What view the law would take I cannot say; but I should be inclined to think it might be persuaded to suspend sentence, till your friend could come forward and speak for himself.’ ‘I do not know how that might be,’ said Tor, ‘but I see that your evidence might have weight. However, I trust the danger may never threaten.’ ‘So do I; but promise to write to me if it does.’ ‘I will do so gladly.’ ‘And let me know, too, if that marriage with Lewis Belassis—stay, perhaps I should not wait, only I do not yet know anything. It may be a mere coincidence.’ ‘I do not quite follow,’ said Tor tentatively. ‘No, of course not. How should you? I was chattering to myself. I’m not sure, though, but what I might be able to help you to put another spoke in Belassis’ wheel.’ ‘You!’ ejaculated Tor.