"How kind you are; how you read my very thoughts; but I do not like to
trouble you," murmured the beautiful woman, with a quiver of her red lips
and a thrilling glance. "And yet," she continued, "I must have money at
once. I was going to my lawyer this morning to beg him to try and raise
something for me in some way, for I must settle my bill here to-day. I
have dismissed my maid and engaged a room at No. 10 ---- street, and am
going there this afternoon. Oh! Mr. Cutler, it is very hard to be obliged
to confess my poverty," and she had to abruptly cease her remarks, in
order to preserve her self-control, for she seemed upon the point of
breaking down utterly.

"Mrs. Bently," said the young man, with sudden impulse, "let me relieve
you from all unpleasantness; let me advance you the sum which Mr. Arnold
named; then I can take the crescents to him and he will make it right
with me."

A peculiar smile lingered about his lips as he concluded.

"That is exceedingly kind of you," Mrs. Bently said, gratefully, "but,
truly, Mr. Cutler, I am almost afraid to take you at your word."

"Why?"

"Because I have always regarded the crescents as paste, and--and I cannot
quite divest myself of the idea even now, in spite of your assurance,"
she answered, with a clouded brow.

Her companion laughed aloud.