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Rh about in my mind how I could warn you as to the character of Colonel Wybrowe. Your uncle wrote of him as his 'friend.' It was difficult to tell him all I had heard of his friend, and I knew my communication would be regarded as an impertinence by Mrs. Shaw, who exercises, I am aware, so great an influence over him. Still, I felt it to be my duty, as your poor father's friend, to write to your uncle; but I had so little confidence in my letter being of any avail, that I also wrote to you direct, asking for this interview. As one of your trustees, of course I should take good care that your money was carefully tied up now; but I feared, if this marriage was to take place, that you might be induced to sign a promise to pay the colonel's debts when you came into the sole control of your property."

"You may dismiss that fear." The girl smiled bitterly for a moment. "I have other things to talk to you about, that more nearly affect my future. I left Farley this morning, unknown to my uncle—unknown to any one. In short, the truth is, I have escaped from my uncle's house, never to return."

There was a pause, before he said slowly—

"Why? Not because you have broken your engagement?"

"Do not ask me why, Mr. Twisden. I cannot tell you. It is enough that I can never return. The past is past. I want to put it away from my mind as much as possible, and you must help me. Not by your counsel—no, by your help. I have taken a horror of my life, and everything belonging to it, at Farley. The only thing for me is to get rid of it all—to have such a