ith her. It is a matter
between you and me. We will settle it without her assistance."

"Oh, Trevor, but--"

"There is no 'but,' Chris," he said, interrupting her almost sternly. "I
am nearer to you than your aunt. Tell me--as nearly as you can--what
those debts amount to."

Chris was looking a little startled. "But I--I don't know," she said.

"Well, find out and tell me." He smiled at her again. "It's all right,
dear. Don't be afraid of me. I know it's hard to keep within bounds when
there is a shortage of means. But I don't like debts. You won't run up
any more?"

Chris still looked at him somewhat doubtfully. "I won't if I can help
it," she said.

"You will be able to help it," he rejoined.

"Yes, but, Trevor, please let me say it. I don't think you ought to--to
give me money before--before--Oh, do understand!" she broke off
helplessly. "You generally do."

"I quite understand," he said, his hand on her shoulder. "But, my child,
I think, considering all things, that you need not let that scruple
trouble you. Since we are to be married in six weeks--"

"In six weeks, Trevor!" Again that startled look that was almost one of
consternation.

"In six weeks," he repeated, with quiet emphasis. "Your cousin will
probably be back from her honeymoon, and it will be the end of the
season. Since, then, our marriage is to take place in six weeks, and that
I shall then be responsible for you, I do not think you need be troubled
about letting me help you out of this difficulty now. No one will know of
it. It will set your mind at rest--and mine also."

"Ah, but, Trevor--" Chris spoke somewhat breathlessly--she was rubbing
her hand nervously up and down his sleeve--"I'm not quite sure that--that
it will set my mind at rest. I'm not sure that--that I want you to do it,
or that I ought to let you even if I did, because, you see, because--"

"Because--?" he said.

She turned her head aside, avoiding his direct look. "Don't be angry,
will you? But just--just supposing something happened, and--and--and we
didn't get married after all?"

She ended rather desperately, in an undertone. But for the quiet hand on
her shoulder she would have moved away from him; she might even have been
tempted to flee altogether. As it was, she stood still, trembling a
little, wondering if she had outrun his patience at last or if he had it
in him still to bear with her.

He did not speak at once. She waited with a beating heart.

"Well?