train, and
do a week's close grind."

Paul nodded. "I'm sorry; I'd have liked you to run down home with me
for a few days, and see the mater. The Westovers have some very nice
people coming to the Castle, and are going to get up some theatricals.
Lady May says they must have you! Will you come in a week, if I work
the Colonel?"

"I'm afraid I can't," Arthur answered, with a slight flush in his
cheeks. "I have some engagements for next week, and--and--I'm sure I
can't manage it."

"The mater'll be disappointed," Paul said quietly. "She is counting on
seeing you, and it's some time since you were down, isn't it? Tell you
what, old man! I'd try and manage it, if I were you!"

"I can't promise! I will, if I can manage it! I'll write you from
Aldershot!"

"You don't look quite the thing," Paul said kindly. "Nothing the
matter, is there?"

"Nothing at all," Arthur assured him hastily. "I'm quite well. A bit
of a head, that's all."

"Not too many of those bits of paper about, eh?" Paul asked, pointing
to an oblong strip of blue paper which lay, face uppermost, on the
table.

Arthur coloured, and threw a book over it.

"I am sorry I saw it," Paul went on; "but it was there to be seen,
wasn't it?"

"Oh, yes! that's all right! I oughtn't to have left it about, that's
all. I'm not exactly a Croesus, like you, you know, Paul, and now
and then I'm obliged to raise the wind somehow. Yes! I know what
you're going to say. My allowance is a good one, and I ought to make
it do. But, you see, sometimes I can't."

"I hope you won't mind my asking, Arthur, but is that an acceptance of
your own?"

Arthur nodded. "There are a few accounts which I must pay," he said.
"So I'm going to ask Plimsoll to do it for me. He's a decent fellow of
his sort, you know! Lots of fellows go to him!"

Paul stretched out his hand. "Give it to me," he said, "and I will
discount it for you. Thanks!"

Paul took it, and, just glancing at the amount, threw it into the
fire. "I haven't my cheque book here," he said, "but we will call at
the bank on our way to the club, and I can get the money. I'm glad I
saw it!"

"It's awfully good of you," Arthur said hesitatingly. "I shouldn't
have thought of asking you. I must owe you an awful lot already."

"Never mind what you owe me! I'll write it all off, Arthur, and this
last amount too, if you'll do me a favour. Come down home with me next
week, as soon as you can get leave."

Arthur rose to his f