“I don't want you to fall into worse trouble, my dear,” said he. “Now tell me all that you think I should be told.” “I knew that I had no chance of speaking to you in an ordinary way, sir,” said the girl, “so I slipped out of Mrs. Morgan's cottage and came here.” “That was very foolish of you. Well, what have you to say to me?” “You know my secret, sir. Cyril--I mean Mr. Mowbray, told me that you knew it; but no one else does--not even my father--not even Miss Mowbray--and I'd die sooner than tell it to any one.” “Yes, yes, I know. To say you were both foolish would be to say the very least of the matter. But you at any rate have been punished.” “God knows I have, Mr. Westwood.” “Yes, it is always the woman who has to bear the punishment for this sin. I wish I could lighten yours, my poor child.” “You can, sir, you can!” The girl had begun to sob, and she could not speak for some time. He waited patiently. “I have come to talk to you about that, sir,” she continued, when she was able to speak once more. “Sir Percival Hope's sister has promised to give me a chance, Mr. Westwood; but only if I agree never to see him again.” “And, of course, you agreed. You are very fortunate, my girl.” “Yes, sir, I agreed; but--oh, Mr. Westwood, he has promised to marry me when he gets his money in two years, and I know that he will do it, for I'm sure he loves me, only--oh, sir, I'm afraid that when I'm away, where we may never see each other, he may be led to think different--he may be led to forget me. But you, Mr. Westwood, you will be on my side--you will not let him forget me. That is what I come to implore of you, sir: you will always keep me before him so that he may not forget that he is to marry me?” “Look here, Lizzie,” said he, after a pause; “if I were you I wouldn't trust to his keeping his promise to you. But I'll tell you what I'll do. I have been talking to Cyril, and he knows what my opinion of his conduct is. He has told me that he would marry you to-morrow if he only had enough money to live on. I advised him to confess all to Miss Mowbray, and if he does so I have made up my mind to send him off to a colony with you, making a provision for your future until he gets his money.” “Oh, sir--oh, Mr. Westwood!” cried the girl, catching up his hand and kissing it. “Oh, sir, you have saved me from ruin.” “I hope that I have saved both of you,” said he. “Now, get back to Mrs. Morgan's without delay. I hope that it may not be discovered that you were wandering through the park at midnight. Why, even if Cyril discovered it he might turn away from you.” After a course of sobs mingled with thanks, the girl went away, and Richard Westwood strolled back toward the house. CHAPTER VI.