n America for a year, I understand; has only just come
back; and now he's living In poorish lodgings,--Great College Street,
Westminster. I've made a few inquiries about him, but I can't get at
very much. A man who knows Vawdrey tells me that Tarrant has no means,
and that he's a loafing, affected sort of chap. If that's true,--and
it seems likely from the way he's living,--of course he will be ready
enough to marry Miss. Lord when the proper time has come; I'm only
afraid that's all he had in view from the first. And I can't help
suspecting, as I said, that she's supporting him now. If not, why should
she go and work in a shop? At all events, a decent man wouldn't allow
her to do it.'

'A decent man,' said the listener, 'would never have allowed her to fall
into disgrace.'

'Certainly not,' Crewe assented with energy. 'And as for my keeping
quiet about it, Mrs. Damerel, you've only to think what an awkward
affair it was to mention. I'm quite sure you'll have a little feeling
against me, because I knew of it--'

'I beg you not to think that!' She returned to her manner of suave
friendliness. 'I shall owe you gratitude for telling me, and nothing but
gratitude. You have behaved with very great delicacy; I cannot say how
highly I appreciate your feeling on the poor girl's behalf.'

'If I can be of any use, I am always at your service.'

'Thank you, dear Mr. Crewe, thank you! In you I have found a real
friend,--and how rarely they are met with! Of course I shall make
inquiries at once. My niece must be protected. A helpless girl in that
dreadful position may commit unheard-of follies. I fear you are right.
He is making her his victim. With such a secret, she is absolutely at
his mercy. And it explains why she has shunned me. Oh, do you think her
brother knows it?'

'I'm quite sure he doesn't; hasn't the least suspicion.'

'Of course not. But it's wonderful how she has escaped. Your
informant--how did she find it out? You say she had the story from the
girl's own lips. But why? She must have shown that she knew something.'

Crewe imparted such details as had come to his knowledge; they were
meagre, and left many obscurities, but Mrs. Damerel rewarded him with
effusive gratitude, and strengthened the spell which she had cast upon
this knight of Farringdon Street.

CHAPTER 7

Every day Tarrant said to himself: 'I am a free man; I was only married
in a dream.' Every night he thought of Nancy, and suffered h