I came about to-day.'
Stephen was going to make an angry gesture of dissent. She was not going
to have that matter opened up. She waited, however, for Leonard was
going on after his momentary pause. She breathed more freely after his
first sentence. He was unable evidently to carry on a double train of
thought.

'It was about that infernal money-lenders' letter that the Governor got!'
Stephen got still less anxious. This open acknowledgment of his true
purpose seemed to clear the air.

'What is the amount?' Leonard looked quickly at her; the relief of her
mind made her tone seem joyful.

'A monkey! Five hundred pounds, you know. But then there's three
hundred for interest that has to be paid also. It's an awful lot of
money, isn't it?' The last phrase was added on seeing Stephen's
surprised look.

'Yes!' she answered quietly. 'A great deal of money--to waste!' They
were both silent for a while. Then she said:

'What does your father say to it?'

'He was in an awful wax. One of these beastly duns had written to him
about another account and he was in a regular fury. When I told him I
would pay it within a week, he said very little, which was suspicious;
and then, just when I was going out, he sprung this on me. Mean of him!
wasn't it? I need expect no help from him.' As he was speaking he took
a mass of letters from his pocket and began to look among them for the
money-lenders' letter.

'Why, what a correspondence you have there. Do you keep all your letters
in your pockets?' said Stephen quietly.

'All I don't tear up or burn. It wouldn't do to let the Governor into my
secrets. He might know too much!'

'And are all those letters from duns?'

'Mostly, but I only keep those letters I have to attend to and those I
care for.'

'Show me the bundle!' she said. Then seeing him hesitate, added:

'You know if I am to help you to get clear you must take me into your
confidence. I dare say I shall have to see a lot more letters than these
before you are quite clear!' Her tone was too quiet. Knowing already
the silent antagonism between them he began to suspect her; knowing also
that her own letter was not amongst them, he used his wits and handed
them over without a word. She, too, suspected him. After his tacit
refusal to give her the letter, she almost took it for granted that it
was not amongst them. She gave no evidence of her feeling, however, but
opened and read the letters in du