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THE BREATH OF SCANDAL

whenever I ask for it. Every cent of it is yours—ours, Marjorie—to see you through whatever's before us."

But she could not think of what he was saying; she could not continuously think even of him, though it was good to have him, good to know she could depend upon his big, honest, whole-souled love, good to feel the complete cleanliness of him in her world so suddenly soiled. Through his clasp by which he was attempting to comfort her, she became sensitive to some new danger which he was striving to deny and prevent affecting himself and her; and soon she wrung admission of it from him. Reinderfeld wished her to call at his office as early in the morning as possible.

"But there can be no need of your going yourself. I will go for you," Billy declared. "I'll make him tell me anything he has to say to you."

Through this, she perceived a controversy already passed between Billy and Rinderfeld, and she asked, "You saw him to-day?"

"Yes; he telephoned me to tell you to come and see him; he wouldn't tell me why over the 'phone; so I went to his office. And he wouldn't tell me any more."

"Why not, do you suppose?"

"Because I don't honestly believe he's anything more to tell; he said he wanted to have a talk with you; it was essential for him 'to have a private talk' with you, were his exact words."

"Where is his office, Billy?"

"You aren't thinking of going there!"

"As early as I can to-morrow."

"I told you I'd go for you."

"You've been for me, Billy."