re that his great
wealth could not always have been accumulated without distress to
others.

Until now those "others" had been vague, unreal figures, but it gave him
a sick feeling of shame to think that perhaps Peg was speaking the truth
when she said that one of them had been Faith's father.

"Business is business," he began angrily in self-defence.

Peg nodded.

"That's what I say! I said so to Faith, and told her that it would very
likely be worth while to overlook things for the sake of your money,
but...."

The Beggar Man turned with a roar like a wounded lion.

"You told her that!"

"I did." Her hard blue eyes met his unflinchingly. "Money's the only
thing in the world worth having when you've never had any, and I know! I
believe I'd marry Old Nick himself if he offered me ten thousand a year
and a car of my own."

Forrester swore under his breath.

"Women are all the same," he said bitterly. "Ready to sell their souls
for jewels and luxury."

"Well," said Peg, "I don't know that _you_ can talk! Anyway, it's no
business of mine, only that's why Faith won't see you."

The Beggar Man's face hardened in a way that made him almost ugly; he
was not used to being thwarted.

He went close to Peg as she stood guarding the doorway.

"Are you going to move?" he asked quietly, "or have I got to make you?"

Peg grew very red. She began to say, "Make me?" but changed her mind and
stood on one side with a sudden meekness that would have amazed anyone
who knew her. And the Beggar Man opened the door and went out into the
passage.

She followed him then and spoke in a subdued way. "Look here, I'm not
taking sides any longer, so don't you think it. But Faith's a little bit
of a thing, and she's sad, and she's sick. I can't stop you going in to
her if you mean to, but----" She paused. "If you're the sport I almost
think you are, you won't, at any rate not to-day," she added earnestly.

It was very clever of her, and the Beggar Man stopped and wavered.

For an instant they looked at one another silently, eye to eye; then he
turned back.

"Very well; but as soon as she's well enough you understand that nothing
you can say or do will prevent me." Peg laughed grimly.

"Oh, yes, I understand that," she said.

And so it was left, and for the following sad days Forrester kept his
word and Faith was left in peace. There was nothing seriously the matter
with her, the doctor said, but she was suffering from shock a