"The money you lent me."
And to his astonishment he saw that the cheque was for £500, and was signed "Delia Blanchflower."
"You will of course explain?" he said, looking at her keenly. Suddenly
Delia's embarrassed smile broke through.
"It's—it's only that I've been trying to pay my debts!"
His patience gave way.
"I'm afraid I must tell you—very plainly—that unless you can account to me for this cheque, I must entirely refuse to take it!"
Delia put her hands behind her, like a scolded child.
"It is my very own," she protested, mildly. "I had some ugly jewels that my grandmother left me, and I have sold them—that's all."
Winnington's grey eyes held her.
"H'm—and—has Mr. Lathrop had anything to do with the sale?"