"You can marry me privately to-day," she answered. "Lis ten--and I will
tell you how!"


CHAPTER THE FIFTH.

THE PLAN.

SHE took his hand, and began with all the art of persuasion that she
possessed.

"One question, Geoffrey, before I say what I want to say. Lady Lundie
has invited you to stay at Windygates. Do you accept her invitation? or
do you go back to your brother's in the evening?"

"I can't go back in the evening--they've put a visitor into my room. I'm
obliged to stay here. My brother has done it on purpose. Julius helps me
when I'm hard up--and bullies me afterward. He has sent me here, on
duty for the family. Somebody must be civil to Lady Lundie--and I'm the
sacrifice."

She took him up at his last word. "Don't make the sacrifice," she said.
"Apologize to Lady Lundie, and say you are obliged to go back."

"Why?"

"Because we must both leave this place to-day."

There was a double objection to that. If he left Lady Lundie's, he would
fail to establish a future pecuniary claim on his brother's indulgence.