"Now stop that," said Carrie; "I won't have a word of abuse against Sam. He suits me very well. I'm not a fine lady, and I never mean to be a fine lady. I shall be very comfortable as his wife some day, and I don't want you to abuse him. Whether you like him or not, he is going to be your brother-in-law and--Why, Elma, how tired you look!" "I am tired and worried, and I want to speak to you," said Elma. "To speak to me?" answered Carrie, a little alarm coming into her voice in spite of herself. "What for? Anything special? Are you prepared to make me a present of another dress; I could do with a white one now the weather is getting so very hot, and Sam would like me in white. White with pink ribbons would be a change, or mauve--mauve ribbons look so sweetly cool with white." "I am not going to listen to any of your nonsense," said Elma. "I want to ask you a straight question. Where is my money?" "Your money? What do you mean?" "What I say. I have heard the whole story from Maggie, and I can bring her as a witness. You have put that money in hiding, and I want it at once. There, Carrie, like a dear old soul, do own up. Let me have the money without any more delay. Of course you have not stolen it. I know you have not; but you have hidden it. I wish you would give it back now. If I can't return it to its rightful owner to-night I shall get into worse trouble. Do let me have the money back." Carrie's face also now became pale. "I wish I could," she said in a frightened voice. "Do you mean to say that you really want it back?" "Why, of course. You haven't spent it? Oh, if you have I am ruined--ruined for life." "No, I have not spent it; but the fact is I--What a little wretch that Maggie was to tell!" "She couldn't help herself; I made her. Now, speak out, Carrie. Oh, we need not go indoors. Where is the money? Please, please, Carrie, let me have it at once." Elma's troubled face, her trembling hands, the anxiety depicted all over her nervous little figure, could not but show Carrie that there was something serious in the wind. "Well," she said, "I am awfully sorry. I--I just did it in a fit of mischief. I read that letter which Kitty Malone wrote to you, and it seemed to throw light on some of your actions which had puzzled me of late. I went to your drawer and found the money, and thought I would give it to Sam to keep for you." "To Sam Raynes?" cried Elma, backing a few steps, her voice assuming a tone of terror. "Yes. Do be careful, Elma, or you'll fall right down into the area. Why shouldn't I lend it to Sam Raynes?" "Lend it?" "Well, well, it's all the same; I asked him to keep it for me." "I'll go to him at once and get it," said Elma, preparing to run down the steps. Carrie caught her by the arm. "I'm awfully sorry," she said, "but it's no use, he--he says we cannot have it for a week, perhaps a fortnight. He is doing a little deal with it, as he expresses it. He says perhaps we'll have it back doubled."