I can spare it for the present," he answered. "Only if you see any
chance of paying me back before long, do so."

"You will pardon my interference," said an ominously quiet voice from the
doorway, "but may I inquire into the nature of this transaction between
you and my niece, Sir Leslie? Perhaps you had better explain it, Clara!"

They both turned quickly round. Mannering was standing upon the
threshold, the morning paper in his hand. Clara sank into a chair and
covered her face with her hands. Sir Leslie shrugged his shoulders.

He was congratulating himself upon the discretion with which he had
conducted the interview. He had for a few moments entertained other
ideas.

"Perhaps you will allow me to explain--" he began.

"I should prefer to hear my niece," Mannering answered, coldly.

Clara looked up. She was pale and frightened, and she had hard work to
choke down the sobs.

"Sir Leslie was down at Bristow, where I was staying--this last
week-end," she explained. "I lost a good deal of money there at roulette.
He very kindly took up my I.O.U.'s for me, and was offering when you came
in to let it stand for a little time."

"What is the amount?" Mannering asked.

Clara did not answer. Her head sank again. Her uncle repeated his
inquiry. There was no note of anger in his tone. He might have been
speaking of an altogether indifferent matter.

"I am afraid I shall have to trouble you to tell me the exact amount," he
said. "Perhaps, Borrowdean, you would be so good as to inform me, as my
niece seems a little overcome."

"The amount of the I.O.U.'s for which I gave my cheque," Borrowdean said,
"was five hundred and eighty-seven pounds. I have the papers here."

There was a dead silence for a moment or two. Clara looked up furtively,
but she could learn nothing from her uncle's face. It was some time
before he spoke. When at last he did, his voice was certainly a little
lower and less distinct than usual.

"Did I understand you to say--five hundred and eighty-seven pounds?"

"That is the amount," Borrowdean admitted. "I trust that you do not
consider my interference in any way officious, Mannering. I thought it
best to settle the claims of perfect strangers against Miss Mannering."

"May I ask," Mannering continued, "in whose house my niece was permitted
to lose this sum?"

"It was at the Bristows'," Clara answered.

"And under whose chaperonage were you?" Mannering asked.

"Lady Bristow's! She called fo