CHAPTER VII.
THE CULMINATING CHEQUE.
Sophia gives an Explanation and Requests one.—Her Verdict.—Peter Overruled.
"Before I say anything else," said Sophia, who was still standing upon the hearth-rug, gazing down upon the wretched Peter as he sat huddled up in his chair, "you would probably like to know how I came to follow you to that steamer. It is a long story, but I will tell you if you wish to hear?"
Peter's lips moved without producing any articulate sounds, and Sophia proceeded:
"Some weeks ago," she said, "one afternoon when you had gone out for a walk, I found what seemed to be a loose cheque on the carpet. I knew how carelessly you leave things about, and I picked it up, and found that, though it was like a cheque in other respects, it was
