"I think Miss Webster caught the lamp with her hand as she got up from the table. She had been reading the subscription list."
"Which reminds me that the list is burned to a cinder. But it does not signify; people will remember their promises," said Mr. Curzon.
"And nobody but myself will know that May Webster put down her name and scratched it out at my request," thought Paul, not a little proud of his moral victory over the haughty young woman.
"Well, I think everything is safe here; we may be going home. I want to get back before my little Kitty gets news of the fire, or she will worry herself into a fever. Late as it is, though, I must run up to the Court."
"Why?" Paul inquired. "We know that Miss Webster is safe."
"She might wish to see me," replied the rector, simply. "And if she does, she shall have the chance."
"Then I'll leave word at the rectory that you are all right, in case Kitty is awake," said Paul, rather shortly.
May, from her couch in her dressing-room heard the rector's cheery voice in the hall below asking after her.
"That's Mr. Curzon, Lancaster; run and ask him to come up and see me for a moment," she said to her maid.
In another moment he entered, followed by her mother.