"I'd do most things to please you," I answered, "but I can't do this."

"I—I don't understand," she said, in a half-broken voice, and looked at me dolorously for a moment or two.

"Will you be able to be a solicitor after this?" she asked.

"Oh, I haven't thought about things yet," I answered.

"Surely you might tell me," she said, tearfully; "I think I've ruined your life."

"Miss Ormerod," I remarked, getting up, "what's happened was my own fault, and you're not to blame in the least; but I think it would be better if I went down to my place and finished looking things over."

"'PLEASE TELL ME WHY YOU'RE HERE,' SAID MISS ORMEROD TO THE SHERIFF'S MAN."

"Oh, but I can't let you go like this," she pleaded, tearfully; "it's so silly of you. I've got such a lot of money, and surely you'll do me a favour and let me lend you a little of it."

"It's out of the question," I said.