looked as if moral slackness might develop into active vice. On the
whole, he thought Sadie would have trouble with Bob, but this was not
his business.

"I've come to say good-bye," he remarked. "I won't see you again until
my return, and expect you'll be married then."

"Yes," said Charnock, shortly. "I suppose you have made some plans for
your trip. Where are you going to stop in England?"

Festing told him and he looked surprised. "I didn't know you had friends
in that neighborhood. Will you be with them some time?"

"A month, anyway. Then I may come and go."

Charnock pushed his chair back out of the light. "Well, this makes it
easier; there's something I want to ask. We are friends and I've let you
give me good advice, though I haven't always acted on it. I don't know
if this gives me a claim."

"If there's anything I can do----"

"There is," said Charnock, who hesitated for a few moments. "I want you
to go and see Helen Dalton. She's the girl I ought to have married, and
doesn't live very far from your friends."

"Ah!" said Festing with a start. "It was her portrait you meant to
burn?"

Charnock gave him a sharp glance. "Just so. I imagine I did burn it,