Neither she nor Wyverton had spoken a word to any of that which was
between them. It was not their hour; or, rather, the time had not arrived
for others to share in it.
But as the two girls clasped one another on that last night of
companionship Phyllis presently spoke his name.
"I actually haven't told you what Lord Wyverton did, Moll," she said.
"You would never guess. It was so unexpected, so overwhelming. You know
he came to tea. You were busy and didn't see him. Jim was there, too. He
came straight up to me and said the kindest things to us both. We were
standing away from the rest. And he put an envelope into my hand and
asked me, with his funny smile, to accept it for an old friend's sake. He
disappeared mysteriously directly after. And--and--Molly, it was a cheque
for a thousand pounds."
"Good gracious!" said Molly, sharply.
"Wasn't it simply amazing?" Phyllis continued. "It nearly took my breath
away. And then Lady Caryl arrived, and I showed it to her. And she said
that the story of his ruin was false, that she thought he himself had
invented it for a special reason that had ceased to exist. And she said
that she thought he was richer now than he had ever been before. Why,
Molly, Molly--what has happened? What is it?"
Molly had suddenly sprung upright in bed. The moonlight was shining on
her beautiful face, and she was smiling tremulously, while her eyes
were wet with tears.
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