done the
thing so vilely well.'

'I suppose he was only replying to my father's attack upon him and his
friends.'

'Your father's attack is honest and straightforward and justifiable and
well put. I read that chapter of his book with huge satisfaction.
But has anyone suggested that another than Fadge was capable of that
masterpiece?'

'Yes. I am told that Mr Jedwood, the publisher, has somehow made a
mistake.'

'Jedwood? And what mistake?'

'Father heard that you were the writer.'

'I?' Jasper stopped short. They were in the rays of a street-lamp, and
could see each other's faces. 'And he believes that?'

'I'm afraid so.'

'And you believe--believed it?'

'Not for a moment.'

'I shall write a note to Mr Yule.'

Marian was silent a while, then said:

'Wouldn't it be better if you found a way of letting Mr Jedwood know the
truth?'

'Perhaps you are right.'

Jasper was very grateful for the suggestion. In that moment he had
reflected how rash it would be to write to Alfred Yule on such a
subject, with whatever prudence in expressing himself. Such a letter,
coming under the notice of the great Fadge, might do its writer serious
harm.

'Yes, you are right,' he repeated. 'I'll stop that rumour at its source.
I can't guess how it started; for aught I know, some enemy hath done
this, though I don't quite discern the motive. Thank you very much for
telling me, and still more for refusing to believe that I could treat Mr
Yule in that way, even as a matter of business. When I said that I was
despicable, I didn't mean that I could sink quite to such a point as
that. If only because it was your father--'

He checked himself and they walked on for several yards without
speaking.

'In that case,' Jasper resumed at length, 'your father doesn't think of
me in a very friendly way?'

'He scarcely could--'

'No, no. And I quite understand that the mere fact of my working for
Fadge would prejudice him against me. But that's no reason, I hope, why
you and I shouldn't be friends?'

'I hope not.'

'I don't know that my friendship is worth much,' Jasper continued,
talking into the upper air, a habit of his when he discussed his own
character. 'I shall go on as I have begun, and fight for some of the
good things of life. But your friendship is valuable. If I am sure of
it, I shall be at all events within sight of the better ideals.'

Marian walked on with her eyes upon the ground. To her surprise she
discovered