’I heard of it first of all about three months ago, but it was only the other day that I was told the man’s name, and other things about him.’

‘Is it known to many people?  Is the poor girl talked about?’

‘No, no,’ Crewe replied, with confidence.  ’The person who told me is the only one who has found it out; you may depend upon that.’

‘It must be a woman,’ said Mrs. Damerel sharply.

’Yes, it’s a woman.  Some one I know very well.  She told me just because she thought I was still hoping to marry Miss.  Lord, and—­ well, the truth is, though we’re good friends, she has a little spite against me, and I suppose it amused her to tell me something disagreeable.’

‘I have no doubt,’ said Mrs. Damerel, ’that the secret has been betrayed to a dozen people.’

‘I’ll go bail it hasn’t!’ returned Crewe, falling into his vernacular.

’I can hardly believe it at all.  I should never have dreamt that such a thing was possible.  What is the man’s name? what is his position?’

’Tarrant is his name, and he’s related somehow to a Mr. Vawdrey, well known in the City, who has a big house over at Champion Hill.  I have no notion how they came together, or how long it was going on.  But this Mr. Tarrant has been in America for a year, I understand; has only just come back; and now he’s living In poorish lodgings,—­ Great College Street, Westminster.  I’ve made a few inquiries about him, but I can’t get at very much.  A man who knows Vawdrey tells me that Tarrant has no means, and that he’s a loafing, affected sort of chap.  If that’s true,—­and it seems likely from the way he’s living,—­of course he will be ready enough to marry Miss.  Lord when the proper time has come; I’m only afraid that’s all he had in view from the first.  And I can’t help suspecting, as I said, that she’s supporting him now.  If not, why should she go and work in a shop?  At all events, a decent man wouldn’t allow her to do it.’

‘A decent man,’ said the listener, ’would never have allowed her to fall into disgrace.’

‘Certainly not,’ Crewe assented with energy.  ’And as for my keeping quiet about it, Mrs. Damerel, you’ve only to think what an awkward affair it was to mention.  I’m quite sure you’ll have a little feeling against me, because I knew of it—­’

‘I beg you not to think that!’ She returned to her manner of suave friendliness.  ’I shall owe you gratitude for telling me, and nothing but gratitude.  You have behaved with very great delicacy; I cannot say how highly I appreciate your feeling on the poor girl’s behalf.’

‘If I can be of any use, I am always at your service.’

’Thank you, dear Mr. Crewe, thank you!  In you I have found a real friend,—­and how rarely they are met with!  Of course I shall make inquiries at once.  My niece must be protected.  A helpless girl in that dreadful position may commit unheard-of follies.  I fear you are right.  He is making her his victim.  With such a secret, she is absolutely at his mercy.  And it explains why she has shunned me.  Oh, do you think her brother knows it?’