Her face got hot as she remembered Mabel's statement that her rashness had given her friends a jar; but in one sense Mabel was wrong.

She had not been rash; she knew she could trust Thirlwell and the men he hired.

There was nothing to fear from them.

Still she had made a bold plunge that might cost her much, and now the reaction had begun she felt slack and dispirited.

The plunge, however, was made; she must carry out what she had undertaken, and it was foolish to indulge her doubts.