"Very well, my dear," he said, in a kindly voice. "We will leave them to

their repose in the safe upstairs. I brought them down from the bank,

intending to give them to you."

"Upstairs?" she said, in something like a whisper, a frightened whisper.

"Why, yes," he said, simply. "They are in the safe in the little room

adjoining my bedroom. I have not seen them since my wife died," he

added, with unconscious pathos.

Scarcely knowing why, a vague dread, a presentiment of evil stirred

within Miriam's breast.

"Oh, ought they not to be sent back to the bank, Lord Sutcombe?" she

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said in a low voice.

"Perhaps they ought," he said, gravely. "You are thinking of burglars,"

he added, with a smile. "You need not be apprehensive; the safe is a

remarkably good one; one of the best, I believe, and I carry the key

about with me always. I have it on my watch-chain. I don't think the

most modern and scientific burglar could break open the safe; at any

rate, he could not do so without making a noise which someone in the

house would hear. Oh, they are quite secure from burglars, believe me,

Miriam."

"I am glad," she said, almost inaudibly. "Shall I play you something

else."

"Do," he responded. "Where is Percy?"

"In the smoking-room, I believe," she replied.

He went to her and laid his hand on her shoulder.

"Percy is too fond of the smoking-room," he said, gravely. "Miriam, I do

not wish to intrude--I have always held that no man has a right to

interfere between his son and his wife. But--forgive me, Miriam--I am

anxious about Percy. You, who are his wife, must have seen that--forgive

me again--that he needs guidance. He is too fond of--what shall I

say?--of pleasure, the sensation of the moment. I had hoped that his

marriage would have wooed him from--from the self-indulgence to which he

had yielded in early life. Miriam, I count a great deal upon your

influence," he wound up lamely and with a deep sigh.

Her head bowed still lower over the keys, and she nodded.

"I know," she said. "I will do my best. But you know Percy!"

He sighed again. "Yes, I know," he assented. "There are certain

weaknesses in most families which crop up, now and again, like

ill-weeds, in some member; I fear that Percy--Don't cry, Miriam, we will

hope for the best; and, as I say, I rely on you, I rely on you very

much. You look tired, my child; it is time for your beauty sleep. I will

go and find Percy."




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