"You did it?" said Effie, her face turning white.
"Yes, yes, I knew you would reproach me. I won't be reproached—I won't!"
"I will not say a word, dearest, dearest mother. Take my hand—your hand does shake so. Now tell me all about it."
"Oh, it's nothing, my love, really, only——"
"Yes, mother—only?"
"Only this morning I asked George to fill in a check for me before he went to town. He did so. It was for five pounds. He seemed vexed at my requiring so much, but I said I couldn't do with less, for there was the landlady to pay, and the butcher has been so troublesome with his bills. I couldn't do with less than five pounds, and George drew a check for me for that amount. I sent Aggie with it straight to the bank, and——"
Mrs. Staunton's face became very pale, her hand shook more violently than ever.
"Yes, mother?" said Effie.
"They sent it back. Effie, with 'No effects' written across the back. I am sure there must be a mistake, but they told Aggie that George had overdrawn his account, and that they couldn't cash this check—there were no effects, that was it."
"No effects!" said Effie, her face scarlet. "But hadn't you some of your money still left in the bank?"