cab, and urged the man to
drive fast, while he sank back into the corner, and tried to make plans.

"I won't tell her," he decided at last. "I'll see the admiral, and he
will advise me what to do."

He altered his mind directly. "It will be betraying poor Malcolm," he
thought; but swayed round again directly after.

"I ought to tell him," he said. "It is a duty. He stood to him almost
in the position of a father, and, for Myra's sake, ought to know; and
Heaven knows I want someone to advise me now."

He changed his plans half a dozen times before he reached the square;
but that of telling the admiral under a pledge of secrecy was in the
ascendant when the cab drew up at the door.

It was opened by Andrews.

"The admiral in?" he asked.

"Yes, sir, but he's asleep in the library. Miss Myra is in her chamber,
sir--not very well to-night, but Miss Edith is in the drawing room."

Guest went upstairs, and, upon entering, Edie rushed at him, when all
his plans went for naught.

"Oh, how long you have been," she panted, as she caught his hands.
"Have you seen him?"

"Yes."

"Have you found out anything?"

"Yes."

"Is it dreadful?"

"Too dreadful to tell you, dearest," he replied sadly.

"Then I won't know," she said, with a sob. "Oh, my poor, darling Myra!
She will die of a broken heart, I know, I know."

Guest tried to comfort her, and she grew more calm.

"It was good and honest of you to come straight to me, to tell me,
Percy," she said, submitting to his embraces; and Guest felt horribly
guilty, and wished he had not come. "It is dreadful, you say?"

"Terrible, little one," he whispered.

"Too terrible for me to know? Then I must not hear it, I suppose?"

"No."

"But you know it, Percy," she said piteously; "it's too terrible, then,
for you."

"I have been trying hard to find out the cause of his conduct."

"And you have found it out now?"

"Yes; and I'd give anything to be as ignorant as I was yesterday."

"Oh, but, Percy, dear," she whispered excitedly, "I must know that."

"I cannot--I dare not tell you."

"Not tell me--and you said you loved me!"

"As I do with all my heart."

"Then you cannot keep anything from me."

"I'll tell your uncle, and ask his opinion first."

"No, no, Percy. I must know now--I must, indeed. No matter how
terrible, you cannot keep it from me."

"But it is like betraying the man whom I'd give anything to save."

"Save? Save from what?"

"