nd unfurbished.

She entered the room, looking quite calm, but very pale, and the blue
rings about her eyes told of her sufferings and anxiety. There was a
slight heightening of her colour, though, for a few moments, as the
visitor advanced with extended hand, in which she placed hers for a few
moments before motioning him to a seat.

"How's the doctor?" he said huskily, and then coughed to clear his
throat.

"Very, very ill, Mr Poynter," was the reply. "I am sorry, but I must
ask you to please see Doctor Maurice, who has promised to attend any of
my father's patients if they called."

"Oh! bother Doctor Maurice! I'm better now. Quite well."

James Poynter had partaken of the greater portion of a bottle of
champagne before he came, so as to screw himself up, as he termed it;
and there was plenty of decision of a rude and vulgar type as he spoke.

"I beg your pardon; I thought you had come to consult my father. You
have come to see how he was?"

"No, I didn't? You know what I've come for."

Richmond did know, and perfectly well; but as she scorned to make use of
farther subterfuge, she remained silent.

"I'm a plain fellow, Miss Rich, and I know what's what," he said,
"Hendon and I've had lots of chats together about money matters, and you
want money now."

"Mr Poynter!"

"Now, now, now! sit down, and don't get in a wax, my dear, with a man
who has come as a friend. I'm well enough off now, but I know the time
when a half-crown seemed riches, and if a friend had come to me, I'd ha'
said `Bless yer!'"

"If you have come as a friend of my brother, Mr Poynter, I am
grateful."

"Now, don't put me on one side like that, Miss Rich--don't. I have come
as a friend--the best of friends. I know what things are, and that
you're pushed for money."

"Mr Poynter!" indignantly.

"Yes, I know what you are going to say. 'Tain't put delicate. Can't
help that. I'm a City man of business; but if it ain't put delicately
it's put honest. We don't put things delicately in the City."

"I have no doubt of your intentions, Mr Poynter, and I am grateful."

"Thank you, and that's right. Now, don't kick at what I'm going to say,
and let it hurt your pride, because it is only between you and your best
friend--the man as loves you. There, I came to say that, and I'm glad
it's out."

"Mr Poynter," said Rich hastily, "I am worn out. I am ill. I have
that terrible trouble in the house. It is not the time to speak