She got up and began to dress, her lips set with determination. Corrigan had held her off once with plausible explanations, but she would not permit him to do so again. She intended to place the matter before her father. Justice must be done. Before she had half finished dressing she heard a rustle and turned to see Agatha standing in the doorway connecting their rooms.
"I can't stand the suspense any longer, Aunty. There is something very wrong about that land business. I am going to telegraph to father about it."
"I was going to ask you to do that, dear. It seems to me that that young Trevison is too much in earnest to be fighting for something that does not belong to him. If ever there was honesty in a man's face it was in his face last night. I don't believe for a minute that your father is concerned in Corrigan's schemes--if there are schemes. But it won't do any harm to learn what your father thinks about it. My dear--" she stepped to the girl and placed an arm around her waist "--last night as I watched Trevison, he reminded me of a--a very dear friend that I once knew. I saw the wreck of my own romance, my dear. He was just such a man as Trevison--reckless, impulsive, and impetuous--dare-devil who would not tolerate injustice or oppression. They wouldn't let me have him, my dear, and I never would have another man. He went away, joined the army, and was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. I have kept his memory fresh in my heart, and last night when I looked at Trevison it seemed to me that he must be the reincarnation of the only man I ever loved. There must be something terribly wrong to make him act the way he does, my dear. And he loves you."
The girl bit her lips to repress the swelling emotions which clamored in wild response to this sympathetic understanding. She looked at Agatha, to see tears in her eyes, and she wheeled impulsively and threw her arms around the other's neck.
"Oh, I know exactly how you feel, Aunty. But--" she gulped "--he doesn't love me."
"I saw it in his eyes, my dear." Agatha's smile was tender and reminiscent. "Don't you worry. He will find a way to let you know--as he will find a way to beat Corrigan--if Corrigan is trying to defraud him! He's that kind, my dear!"