Mrs. Seaforth glanced at him with a little smile of sympathy, for although the Somasco affairs looked a little more promising now, Alton had been doing the work of several men, and the strain had told on him.  She also remembered her husband’s sleepless nights.

“We shall all be glad when the anxiety is over, but one can’t help thinking that you men have the best of it now and then,” she said.  “At least you can work—­while we can only sit still.”

Forel smiled upon her.  “Well,” he said, without reflection, “there is one woman who has done a good deal for Somasco.”

He saw his blunder next moment, for Alton rose up suddenly.  “I would like to hear that again,” he said.

Forel was manifestly uncomfortable, but he glanced towards Mrs. Seaforth as he said, “I think Charley will back me up.”

“Of course,” said Seaforth, whose tone, however, chiefly expressed bewilderment; but Alton made a little forceful gesture.

“Pshaw!” he said.  “You’re fooling, Forel, and you would never disclose who your client was that lent us the money.”

“No,” said Forel resolutely.  “Nor do I mean to.  Sit down again, Harry, and don’t get fancying things.”

Alton moved a pace forward with a dark flush in his face.  “Forel,” he said, “where did all those dollars come from?”

Forel looked almost abject, and in his desperation glanced towards Nellie Seaforth.

“I think you had better tell him now,” she said.

“You know, too?” said Forel.

Nellie Seaforth smiled a little.  “I think I knew all along,” she said.  “Still, Charley didn’t.  He is, of course, a man.”

“Then one of you has got to tell me,” said Alton.

Nellie Seaforth raised her hand with a little imperious gesture.  “As you know half of it I think you had better hear it all,” she said.  “Well, if I had been Miss Deringham I would have taken that way of giving you back Carnaby.  It is possible to raise money on an estate in the old country.”

There was no need of further questions, for the answer was written on Forel’s flushed face, and Alton sat down with his lips firmly set.  Then there was an awkward silence until he spoke again.

“And I cannot return it.  Every dollar has been sunk in the mills and roads except what we took up the first loan with.”

Nellie Seaforth nodded with a pretty gravity, for the bond between them all was stronger than friendship usually is.

“No,” she said, “and I can’t help thinking that it is just as well.  One cannot shirk his responsibilities, Harry, and you are an Alton—­of Carnaby.  You see, nobody could take your inheritance from you, nor, though you did your best, could you give it away, and there is, I fancy, only one meaning to that.  Fate is too strong for you.  You will redeem Carnaby again, go over there, and be—­what you were born to be.”

Alton’s face was once more flushed, and the girl fancied his fingers quivered a little, but while he sat silent there was a tapping at the door and an urchin flung a journal into the room.