r," he said, "I wish most devoutly that West or Mrs. Lansing had
been lame."

Sylvia broke into a ripple of laughter, which somehow seemed to draw
them closer. At Herbert's gate they separated, and Bland walked on in
an exultant mood which was broken by fits of thoughtfulness. Sylvia
had tacitly pledged herself to him, but he was still her unacknowledged
lover and the position was irksome. Then he remembered her
collectedness, which had been rather marked, but he had learned that
emotion is more frequently concealed than forcibly expressed.
Moreover, he had never imagined that Sylvia was wholly free from
faults; he suspected that there was a vein of calculating coldness in
her, though it caused him no concern. Bland was a man of experience
who had acquired a good-humored toleration with the knowledge that one
must not expect too much from human nature.

While Bland was being driven to the station, Sylvia entered the room
where Herbert lay, and handed him the letter.

"Captain Bland came in during the evening to see Stephen and sent you
this," she said. "He told me you were to do what you thought fit with
it."

Herbert perused the letter, and then reaching out with some difficulty,
flung it into the fire.

"I've taken him at his word," he said. "Have you read the thing?"

"No; I fear the details would have puzzled me; but I understand its
general import. How was it your secretary was so careless?"

Herbert smiled.

"The man's smart enough, as a rule; but we all have our weak moments.
This, however, is not the kind of thing that's likely to lead to his
advancement." He lay quiet for a moment or two; and then went on: "I'm
grateful to you. Had you much trouble in persuading Bland to let you
have the letter?"

"No; he offered it voluntarily."

"Then the man must have been desperately anxious to please you. It
looks as if his condition were getting serious."

"I resent coarseness," exclaimed Sylvia.

Herbert laughed.

"Oh," he said, "you and I can face the truth. As West's a lawyer,
Bland's visit to him is, of course, significant; the man knew that
letter might have been worth something in hard cash to him, as well as
affording him the satisfaction of making things hot for the directors
of the company, among whom I was included. He would hardly have parted
with it unless he had a strong inducement."

"His motives don't concern you," retorted Sylvia.

"You ought to appreciate his action."

"I