ing to a policy of telling the truth with the greatest
possible frequency, and aware that evasion would avail them nothing,
waited the fraction of a minute for Dorothy to speak. She was silent.
He felt she had not committed herself or him upon the subject.

"I am engaged at present in some insurance business," he said. "It
will take me out of town to-night, and keep me away for a somewhat
indefinite period."

"H'm!" said Mr. Robinson. "I suppose you'll quit your present
employment pretty soon?"

With no possible chance of comprehending the drift of inquiry, Garrison
responded:

"Possibly."

"I thought so!" exclaimed the old man, with unconcealed asperity.
"Marrying for money is much more remunerative, hey?"

"Oh, uncle!" said Dorothy. Her pain and surprise were quite genuine.

Garrison colored instantly.

He might have been hopelessly floundering in a moment had not a natural
indignation risen in his blood.

"Please remember that up to this evening you and I have been absolute
strangers," he said, with some heat. "I am not the kind to marry for
money. Had I done so I should not continue in my present calling for a
very modest compensation."

He felt that Dorothy might misunderstand or even doubt his resolution
to go on with her requirements. He added pointedly:

"I have undertaken certain assignments for my present employers which I
mean to put through to the end, and no one aware of my motives could
charge me with anything sordid."

Dorothy rose, crossed the space between her chair and the small settee
where Garrison was seated, took the place at his side, and shyly laid
her hand upon his own. It was a natural, wifely thing to do. Garrison
recognized her perfect acting. A tingle of strange, lawless joy ran
through his veins; nevertheless, he still faced Robinson, for his anger
had been no pretense.

There was something in his bearing, when aroused, that invited caution.
He was not a man with whom to trifle. Mrs. Robinson, having felt it
before, underwent the experience anew.

"Let's not start off with a row," she said. "No one means to offend
you, Mr. Fairfax."

"What do you think he'll do?" demanded her husband. "Order us out of
the house? It ain't his yet, and he knows it."

Garrison knew nothing concerning the ownership of the house. Mr.
Robinson's observation gave him a hint, however, that Dorothy's
husband, or Dorothy herself, would presumably own this dwelling soon,
but that s