"Philip," she began in a frightened whisper, "I have--I have come
to--"

The sentence ended in a cry of protest, and she rushed across the
room as though she were running from herself. She was blushing
violently.

"Never!" she cried, as she pulled open the door; "I could never
do it--never!"

The following afternoon, when Helen was to come to tea, Carroll
decided that he would receive her with all the old friendliness,
but that he must be careful to subdue all emotion.

He was really deeply hurt at her treatment, and had it not been
that she came on her own invitation he would not of his own
accord have sought to see her. In consequence, he rather
welcomed than otherwise the arrival of Marion Cavendish, who came
a half-hour before Helen was expected, and who followed a hasty
knock with a precipitate entrance.

"Sit down," she commanded breathlessly; "and listen. I've been
at rehearsal all day, or I'd have been here before you were
awake." She seated herself nervously and nodded her head at
Carroll in an excited and mysterious manner.

"What is it?" he asked. "Have you and Reggie--"

"Listen," Marion repeated, "our fortunes are made; that is what's
the matter--and I've made them. If you took half the interest in