sounded almost hysterical.

"Oh, don't," she said--"don't! You make me feel so ashamed."

Cheveril's face was suddenly quizzical.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of," he said. "I take all the
responsibility, and it would give me very great pleasure to help you."

"But I couldn't do such a thing!" she protested. "I couldn't!"

"Listen!" said Cheveril. "I am off for a yachting trip in the Pacific in
a week, and I give you my word of honour not to return for nine months,
at least. Will that make it easier for you?"

"I am not thinking of myself," she told him, with vehemence. "Of course,
it would make everything right for me, so long as Jim knew. But I must
think of you, too. I must----"

"You needn't," Cheveril said gently; "you needn't. I have asked to be
allowed to stand by you, to have the great privilege of calling myself
your friend in need. I am romantic enough to like to see a love affair
go the right way. It is for my pleasure, if you care to regard it from
that point of view." He paused, and into his eyes there came a queer,
watchful expression--the look of a man who hazards much, yet holds
himself in check. Then he smiled at her with baffling humour.

"Don't refuse me my opportunity, Miss Harford," he said. "I know I am
eccentric, but I assure you I can be a staunch friend to those I like."

Evelyn had risen, and as he ended he also got to his feet. He knew that
she was studying him with all her woman's keenness of perception. But
the game was in his hands, and he realised it. He was no longer afraid
of the issue.

"You offer me this out of friendship?" she said at last.

He watched her fingers nervously playing with a bracelet on her wrist.

"Exactly," he said.

Her eyes met his resolutely.

"Mr. Cheveril," she said (and though she spoke quietly, it was with an
effort), "I want you, please, to answer just one question. You have been
shown all the cards; but there must--there shall be--fair play, in spite
of it."

Her voice rang a little. The bracelet suddenly slipped from her hand and
fell to the floor. Cheveril stooped and picked it up. He held it as he
made reply.

"Yes," he said, "I like fair play, too."

"Then you will tell me the truth?" she said, holding out her hand for
her property. "I want to know if--if you were really going to ask me to
marry you before this happened?"

He looked at her with raised eyebrows. Then he took the extended hand.

"Of course I was!" he said simply.