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SANCTUARY

"And you thought him—"

"Horribly down on his luck. He said himself that his brain was empty."

Again Mrs. Peyton felt the throb in her throat, and a slow blush rose to her cheek. "Was that all he said?"

"About himself—was there anything else?" said the girl quickly.

"He did n't tell you of of an opportunity to make up for the time he has lost?"

"An opportunity? I don't understand."

" He did n't speak to you, then, of Mr. Darrow's letter?"

"He said nothing of any letter."

"There was one, which was found after poor Darrow's death. In it he gave Dick leave to use his design for the competition. Dick says the design is wonderful—it would give him just what he needs."

Miss Verney sat listening raptly, with a rush of colour that suffused her like light.

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