me, but which otherwise must have gone for
what it would now fetch. Your kindness will see me through
that difficulty.

Of course there is something precarious in such a
business as mine;--but I am endeavouring to make it less
so from day to day, and hope very shortly to bring it
into that humdrum groove which best befits a married man.
Should I ask further assistance from you in doing this,
perhaps you will not refuse it if I can succeed in making
the matter clear to you. As it is I thank you sincerely
for what you have done. I will ask you to pay the L3000
you have so kindly promised, to my account at Messrs.
Hunky and Sons, Lombard Street. They are not regular
bankers, but I have an account there.

We are wandering about and enjoying ourselves mightily in
the properly romantic manner. Emily sometimes seems to
think that she would like to give up business, and London,
and all sublunary troubles, in order that she might settle
herself for life under an Italian sky. But the idea does
not generally remain with her very long. Already she is
beginning to show symptoms of home sickness in regard to
Manchester Square.

Yours always most faithfully,

FERDINAND LOPEZ.

To this letter Lopez received no reply;--nor did he expect one.
Between Emily and her father a few letters passed, not very long;
nor, as regarded those from Mr. Wharton, were they very interesting.
In none of them, however, was there any mention of money. But early
in January Lopez received a most pressing,--we might almost say an
agonising letter from his friend Parker. The gist of the letter
was to make Lopez understand that Parker must at once sell certain
interests in a coming cargo of guano,--at whatever sacrifice,--unless
he could be certified as to that money which must be paid in
February, and which he, Parker, must pay, should Ferdinand Lopez be
at that moment unable to meet his bond. The answer sent to Parker
shall be given to the reader.

MY DEAR OLD AWFULLY SILLY, AND ABSURDLY IMPATIENT FRIEND,

You are always like a toad under a harrow, and that
without the slightest cause. I have money lying at Hunky's
more than double enough for the bills. Why can't you trust
a man? If you won't trust me in saying so, you can go to
Mills Happerton and ask him. But, remember, I shall be
very much annoyed if you do so,--and that such an inquiry
cannot but b