He looked up at her wonderingly--she seemed nervous or frightened.

"What is it?" he asked--"Anything you want me to do?"

"Yes"--and her eyes drooped--"but I hardly like to say it. You
see, Dad made up his mind this morning that we were to settle
things together--and he'll be angry and disappointed--"

Robin half-raised himself on one arm.

"He'll be angry and disappointed if we don't settle it, you mean,"
he said--"and we certainly haven't settled it. Well?"

A faint colour flushed her face.

"Couldn't we pretend it's all right for the moment?" she
suggested--"Just to give him a little peace of mind?"

He looked at her steadily.

"You mean, couldn't we deceive him?"

"Yes!--for his good! He has deceived ME all my life,--I suppose
for MY good--though it has turned out badly--"

"Has it? Why?"

"It has left me nameless," she answered,--"and friendless."

A sudden rush of tears blinded her eyes--she put her hands over