ough wondering
how much to disclose. At last he went on with sudden resolution:

"There's no reason why I shouldn't tell you. I feel as if I'd known
you quite long enough, somehow.... You see, my father recently decided
to appoint me trustee of all his property. It happens to give me a
good deal of power over Therese when he dies, or rather not so much
power, in actual fact, as knowledge of her movements. She knows it to
be a pure formality. I should never interfere with her, but--she hates
the idea. That's all."

"Oh!" exclaimed Esther, somewhat blankly.

"You see," he went on with a shrug, "indeed, it's possible you've
noticed it, she doesn't find me very sympathetic. She'd hate to have
any dealings with me."

"But as much as that? If you'd seen how furious she was----"

"I can imagine it. Yes, quite as much as that. I'm afraid I'm a very
sharp thorn in her flesh."

"But you wouldn't try to--to----"

"To restrain her? Lord, no! The position's as detestable to me as to
her. I don't want to be compelled to know what she does with her
money. However, I'm hoping to have another go at the old man when he's
in a more reasonable frame of mind. He's as stubborn as a donkey now."

She nodded with a rueful laugh and said:

"I'm afraid your stepmother is going to hate me most awfully from now
on. Still, I couldn't stand by and allow her to go for the poor old
man like that. Why, she was like a tigress!"

She stopped, looking as though afraid she had committed an indiscretion.

"Oh, don't apologise; facts are facts. I'm only sorry you had to come
up against this unpleasant one. You were absolutely in the right, so
you have nothing to worry about."

"I shall be uncomfortable, though. It puts me in an awkward position."

"Never mind. It looks now as if she's made up her mind to be laid up
for a bit, so you won't have to see her."

She looked at him curiously.

"What do you mean--made up her mind?"

"Well, isn't that what a hysterical woman usually does when she wants
to get sympathy and put other people in the wrong? It's an old trick.
What do you think?"

"I don't know," she answered slowly. "Anyhow, the doctor is taking it
seriously. He's given her an injection of anti-toxin for typhoid."

"And why not? He must earn his money. Besides, it won't do her any
harm."

She smiled doubtfully.

"She really does look ill," she said.

"And so would you if you'd been in a couple of rages