gazing on a
colored print of the ballerina."

"I'm getting tired of the Gitana," said Pracontal, throwing the picture
from him; "hand me the chocolate. As to the letters, I have kept them
for you to read, for, although I know your spluttering, splashing,
hissing language, for all purposes of talk, its law jargon is quite
beyond me."

"Your lawyer--so far as I have seen--is most careful in his avoidance of
technicals with you; he writes clearly and succinctly."

"Break open that great packet, and tell me about its clear and distinct
contents."

"I said succinct, not distinct, O man of many mistakes. This is from
Kelson himself, and contains an enclosure." He broke the seal as he
spoke, and read,--

Dear Sir,--I am exceedingly distressed to be obliged to inform you that
the arrangement which, in my last letter, I had understood to be finally
and satisfactorily concluded between myself on your part, and Mr. Sedley
of Furnival's Inn, on the part of Mr. Bramleigh, is now rescinded and
broken, Mr. Bramleigh having entered a formal protest, denying all
concurrence or approval, and in evidence of his dissent has actually
given notice of action against his solicitor, for unauthorized
procedure. The bills therefore drawn by you I herewith return as no
longer negotiable. I am forced to express not only my surprise, but
my indignation, at the mode in which we have been treated in this
transaction. Awaiting your instructions as to what step you will deem it
advisable to take next,--

I am, dear sir, your obedient servant,

J. Kelson.

"This is a bad affair," said Longworth. "That twenty thousand that you
thought to have lived on for two years, astonishing the vulgar world,
like some Count of Monte Cristo, has proved a dissolving view, and there
you sit a candidate for one of the Pope's prisons, which, if accounts
speak truly, are about the vilest dens of squalor and misery in Europe."

"Put a lump of ice in my glass, and fill it up with champagne. It was
only yesterday I was thinking whether I 'd not have myself christened
Esau, and it is such a relief to me now to feel that I need not.
Monsieur Le Comte Pracontal de Bramleigh, I have the honor to drink
your health." As he spoke he drained his glass, and held it out to be
refilled.

"No; I'll give you no more wine. You'll need all the calm and
consideration you can command to answer this letter, which requires
prompt reply. And as to Esau, my friend, the parallel scar