ds. "My husband
and myself are both anxious to make some arrangement which will be for
your happiness. Clifford feels, and I entirely agree with him, that he's
under a distinct obligation to you."

"There is no obligation," answered Elaine.

"It's very generous of you to say so, but both Clifford and I feel it
deeply. Your livelihood has been taken away from you, and it's our bare
duty to make you some form of compensation. The suggestion of letting it
come through me would be a very suitable way of solving a delicate
problem." She turned to her husband. "Don't you think so, Clifford?"

"I want to hear what Miss Verney has to say."

"Very well."

Elaine paused before she replied, so that her words might carry a fuller
significance. "Mrs Matheson," she said, "I don't wish to accept anything
from you."

"That means, I take it, that you are ready to accept from my husband?"

"Accept what?"

"Well, financial assistance."

"No."

"Then what are you going to do when you leave the home?"

"I shall return to my relations until I've learnt a new trade and can
manage to support myself."

"But surely you will let us help you with the expenses of the first few
months?"

"I prefer not."

"Clifford, can't you persuade Miss Verney?"

"I don't wish to persuade her."

Olive tried a fresh avenue of attack. "Very well, then, let's leave that
point. What I want to say now is still more delicate. I don't want to
wound your feelings, but now that all three of us are together the
matter ought to be discussed calmly and dispassionately and settled once
and for all."

Riviere interrupted. "You promised me that this matter should not be
mentioned."

"Promised?"

"In effect."

"But we _must_ discuss it!"

Elaine put in a word: "I'd sooner the whole situation were threshed out
now. Please!"

"As you will," answered Riviere. "But remember that you're perfectly
free to close the discussion at any moment."

Olive resumed: "Yesterday, when we had our chat together, I was forced
to draw certain inferences. And I had to tell Clifford that it would be
only right for him to avoid compromising you further."

"What inferences?"

"Must I speak more definitely?"

"I prefer plain speaking."

"Well, that people would begin to talk malicious gossip about yourself
and my husband."

Riviere interrupted again. "This discussion is an insult to Miss
Verney."

But Elaine answered: "I prefer to thresh it out.... What people sa