"And you have a secret, too," she murmured, "and a new one. We all of us have secrets, I think, that we are keeping from one another."
"All of us! Have you a secret that you keep from me?"
"Yes, daddy; and one that I must not tell anybody, not even you. I have promised. You must not ask me any questions about it, for I cannot answer them."
"Very well, my dear. But tell me the reason of your feeling against Mr. Sheldrake."
"Suppose you knew that he could destroy the happiness of the one you loved best in the world--suppose you knew that he was ready to use that power if you crossed him in any of his bad ways."
"That is all supposing, Lizzie."
"It is reality to me. Mr. Sheldrake has Alfred in his power, and can ruin him any minute he pleases. Alfred told me so to-night. O, daddy, daddy! I am unhappy and miserable, and I don't know which way to turn if you will not help me."
"I will help you, child, in any way that I can. Does Alfred owe Mr. Sheldrake money?"
"Yes, more than he can pay."
"How has that come about?"