ith it; or
we could find the man to whom he paid it. A Jubilee gold coin with a
hole in it is so uncommon that it could easily be identified. I am
personally acquainted with Dr. Winterton, so there will be no
difficulty in calling and asking his co-operation in the matter."

"Oh, don't ask Dr. Winterton--please don't!" implored Honor in much
agitation. "I'd rather leave things as they are than that!"

Terrible as was the indictment against her, she felt she would not
clear herself at her brother's expense. To allow Miss Maitland to call
at Orley Grange would expose Dermot's peccadillo to his headmaster, and
involve him in as serious a trouble as her own. If one or other must be
expelled, she would rather it were herself. She, of the two, had less
to fear from her father's anger; and, besides, there was a further
reason. Dermot was destined for the Navy, and was very shortly to take
the entrance examination for a cadetship; were he expelled from his
training school, he would be prohibited from competing, and by another
year he would be above the required age, and therefore no longer
eligible as a candidate. To put any hindrance in the way of his success
might ruin his whole future career. At all costs she must shield him,
come what might.

"Then you wish me not to pursue the enquiry, Honor?" continued Miss
Maitland. "Remember, it is the only way of clearing up this most
unfortunate affair."

"I can't help it! The sovereign mustn't be traced. It was my own, all
the same. Indeed I am telling the truth!" blurted out Honor, in great
distress.

"I am sorry I cannot believe you," returned Miss Maitland coldly. "I
thought better of you than this. You have given much trouble during
your term here, but I considered you at least to be strictly
honourable. I am most bitterly disappointed, and even now I will offer
you a last chance. I perhaps took you by surprise, and you were not
prepared to acknowledge what you had done. I will let you think the
matter over until to-morrow morning. If you come to me then, before
chapel, and confess the truth, I will forgive you; but if you still
persist in denying it, I shall be forced, though sorely against my
will, to take sterner measures. For the credit of our house and of our
school, we cannot allow such things to happen at St. Chad's."

"I have told you the truth now, Miss Maitland," answered Honor, with a
certain dignity in her manner. "I can only say the same to-morrow and
every d