to worry about the insinuations of this letter. Don't judge
harshly until you have heard his side. There's a good deal of
graft and vice talk flying around loose these days. Miss Winslow,
you may depend on me to dig the truth out and not deceive you."

"Thank you so much," she said, as she rose to go; then, in a burst
of confidence, added, "Of course, after all, I don't care so much
about it myself--but, you know, my aunt--is so dreadfully prim and
proper that she couldn't forgive a thing like this. She'd never
let Mr. Warrington call on me again."

Violet stopped and bit her lip. She had evidently not intended to
say as much as that. But having once said it, she did not seem to
wish to recall the words, either.

"There, now," she smiled, "don't you even hint to him that that
was one of the reasons I called."

Garrick had risen and was standing beside her, looking down
earnestly into her upturned face.

"I think I understand, Miss Winslow," he said in a low voice,
rapidly. "I cannot tell you all--yet. But I can promise you that
even if all were told--the truth, I mean--your faith in Warrington
would be justified." He leaned over. "Trust me," he said simply.

As she placed her small hand in Garrick's, she looked up into his
face, and with suppressed emotion, answered, "Thank you--I--I
will."