stand by you."

There was nothing for it but to accept the situation, and at last she
said:

"The only way in which you can help me is by keeping silent."

"How long have you known?"

"About six weeks."

"So now I understand why we see you so seldom at tennis or the
paper-chases."

"Yes; and now that you _do_ understand, perhaps you will help me and
put people off when they ask tiresome questions." She spoke with a
catch in her voice. "I scarcely ever leave my aunt. I read and talk
and play the piano, and do my best to keep her amused; I am very fond
of Aunt Flora."

"You must be!" he exclaimed sharply.

"But, indeed, she is not so much to blame as you suppose. Think of her
loneliness and illness! Years of this relaxing climate and intense
depression tempted her to seek relief, and once she had touched the
drug it gripped her like a vice and made her a prisoner."

"Whom you are struggling to release? Does Herr Krauss know?"

"No; he has no suspicion. No more had I till recently. Lily, the
ayah, Mr. FitzGerald, you and I, are all that are in the secret."

"It is much too heavy a load for your shoulders. Won't you tell Mrs.
Gregory? She is so practical and so safe, and full of clever
expedients and energy."

"No, I shall not open my lips; how could I? Mrs. Gregory is my loyal
and kind friend; but once I began to take people into my confidence, I
could never tell where it would end; soon it might be all over Rangoon
that my aunt takes drugs. As it is I am making a little headway; we
have diminished the quantity, and I have great hopes that the craving
is _less_. Of course, I am obliged always to be on guard; that is why
I am so rarely able to leave home. Herr Krauss talks of retiring in
four months, and if I can only keep Aunt Flora safe until _then_, the
day of our departure means the day of her escape. And now, please, let
us talk of something more cheerful. I suppose you have heard about
your friend, Mr. FitzGerald, and Miss Bliss?" And she threw him a
charming confidential smile.

"Oh yes, rather! FitzGerald was in the most awful funk and talked of
writing his proposal, but I choked him off, and told him that it was a
cowardly way of putting his fate to the touch--the telephone would have
been better--and that he must face the music like a man."

"You wouldn't be in the least nervous in similar circumstances."

"No, honestly, I would not, if I believed the girl cared two straws
ab