een with him twenty years, does not dare to contradict him."

"Anyhow, he is liberal to us," returned Marcus, patting his waistcoat
pocket, for he had that morning received his first cheque.

Marcus's first act had been to go to the coal merchant and order in a
ton of excellent coal, then he had gone home and told his wife in a
peremptory tone to put on her hat and jacket.

"I am going to take you to Harvey and Phelps to get a new dress and
jacket," he said, severely. "I am not going to put up with that rusty
old serge any longer," and Olivia had remonstrated in vain against such
extravagance.

It was all very well to blow bubbles and furnish Kempton Lodge from
garret to basement, but when it came to spending Marcus's first
cheque----!

"Marcus, dear," she said, imploringly, "my old dress is quite tidy. I
put new braid round it yesterday, and I would so much rather you got a
new great-coat. Even Aunt Madge noticed that your present one was
dreadfully shabby."

"Of course I shall get a new coat too," returned Dr. Luttrell, coolly.
Then at the thought of this lavishness Olivia was stricken dumb.

Marcus made his purchases with great discretion; the grey tweed and
warm jacket to match suited Olivia's tall supple figure perfectly--he
had a momentary debate with himself before he ventured on a modest
black straw hat with velvet trimmings, but in the end the order was
given.

"Oh, Marcus, how could you!" exclaimed Olivia, who was at fever point
by this time.

"Hold your tongue, Livy!" returned Marcus, good-humouredly. "I mean my
wife to be well-dressed for once in her life. Now I must go to the
tailor's for that great-coat. There won't be much of Mr. Gaythorne's
cheque left by the time I get home. We shall want the balance for
Christmas groceries."

Olivia groaned in spirit over Marcus's recklessness, but she could not
bear to damp his enjoyment. She unburdened her mind to Mrs. Broderick
the next day.

"Don't you think it would have been wiser to have put it by for a rainy
day?" she said, anxiously. But Aunt Madge did not seem quite to share
this opinion.

"My dear," she said, shrewdly, "I think Marcus knows what he is about;
it would never do for him to go to those good houses in a shabby
greatcoat. A little outlay is sometimes a good investment."

"Oh, yes, but I was thinking of the dress and jacket and that hat, Aunt
Madge----"

"Ah, well, we must forgive Marcus that extravagance! It hurt his