subject of her interference in Leonard Everard’s affairs.

Her fears were justified, for when they had come into the drawing- room after dinner Miss Rowly began:

‘Stephen dear, is it not unwise of you to interfere in Mr. Everard’s affairs?’

‘Why unwise, Auntie?’

‘Well, my dear, the world is censorious. And when a young lady, of your position and your wealth, takes a part in a young man’s affairs tongues are apt to wag. And also, dear, debts, young men’s debts, are hardly the subjects for a girl’s investigation. Remember, that we ladies live very different lives from men; from some men, I should say, for your dear father was the best of men, and I should think