Part 72 (2/2)

”It's all rather terrible,” speaking hurriedly; ”but don't... don't...

be upset about it. I can't bear it. I _must_ go, whatever you say, and I want you to help me.”

”What is the matter?” He came close to her and tried to see her face.

”What has happened, Hal?”

”Lorry is in trouble.” She was half crying now; ”I have had a letter from Jean. She has told me something I did not know. I did not even suspect it. But I must go. You will surley see that I must go, Dudley.”

”Tell me what it is,” he said, in a voice so kind, she turned and looked into his face, almost in surprise. He met her eyes, and, reading all the distress there, he added:

”Don't be afraid, Hal. I know I was an awful prig a little while ago, but... but... it's not the same since Doris jilted me, and since Basil died. I see many things differently now. Tell me Lorraine's trouble.”

”She is so ill, because if she lives until next December she will have a little one. Oh, do you understand, Dudley? She is there all alone, because she made a mess of her life and is obliged to hide. I must go to her. You will help me, won't you?”

She glanced at him doubtfully, and then a swift relief seemed to fill her face.

”Yes, certainly you must go,' he said gravely; ”if Jean says she is ill now, I think you should go at once, and see for yourself just how things are.”

”Oh, how good of you. I was afraid you would be angry and object.”

He smiled a little sadly.

”I've enough money in hand for your ticket. You can catch the early boat train, and I'll send some more by to-morrow's post. Had you better see Mr. Elliott about being absent from the office for a day or two, or shall I see him in the morning?”

”He won't mind. I've got everything straight since I came back, and Miss White will do my work for a day or two. If you would see him in the morning, and just tell him Miss Vivian is very ill and I was sent for. He knows what friends we are, and would understand.”

”Very well. Now you must have some dinner, and get to bed, for you will have a long, anxious day to-morrow.”

In a sudden rush of feeling, she put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him.

”I'm so grateful,” she said, in a quivering voice. ”I can't tell you.

It has all come upon me as a shock. I had not the faintest suspicion.”

It was not natural to him to be demonstrative, and he only turned away with a slight embarra.s.sment, saying:

”I'm sure you hadn't. But I feel I can trust you now, Hal, to be discreet as well as quixotic. Your mission, if one can call it such, will need both.”

Then he sought to distract her mind for the present, and while they dined he talked of many things to interest her.

”Do you know that Alymer Hermon has just got the chance of his life?”

he told her, before they rose. ”I head to-day he is to appear with Hall in this big libel case. Sir James Jameson told me at the Club.

He said Hall had taken a great fancy to him, and if he does really well over this case he's going to take him up. He is very fortunate. Not one man in a thousand would get such a chance at his age. I hope he will do well; I like him; and if he isn't a success over this he may never get such an opportunity again.”

”When does the case come on?”

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