er into his
house, and observing that he was in the habit of entertaining his
friends at less than three guineas a head. "But Chateau Yquem and
Cote d'Or!" said Mr. Sugarscraps. "Chateau fiddlesticks!" said Mr.
Wharton, walking out of the house with his receipt.

Then came the bill for the brougham,--for the brougham from the very
day of their return to town after their wedding trip. This he showed
to Lopez. Indeed the bill had been made out to Lopez and sent to Mr.
Wharton with an apologetic note. "I didn't tell him to send it," said
Lopez.

"But will you pay it?"

"I certainly shall not ask you to pay it." But Mr. Wharton at last
did pay it, and he also paid the rent of the rooms in the Belgrave
Mansions, and between L30 and L40 for dresses which Emily had got at
Lewes and Allenby's under her husband's orders in the first days of
their married life in London.

"Oh, papa, I wish I had not gone there," she said.

"My dear, anything that you may have had I do not grudge in the
least. And even for him, if he would let you remain here, I would pay
willingly. I would supply all his wants if he would only--go away."

CHAPTER L

Mr. Slide's Revenge

"Do you mean to say, my lady, that the Duke paid his electioneering
bill down at Silverbridge?"

"I do mean to say so, Mr. Slide." Lady Eustace nodded her head, and
Mr. Quintus Slide opened his mouth.

"Goodness gracious!" said Mrs. Leslie, who was sitting with them.
They were in Lady Eustace's drawing-room, and the patriotic editor of
the "People's Banner" was obtaining from a new ally information which
might be useful to the country.

"But 'ow do you know, Lady Eustace? You'll pardon the persistency of
my inquiries, but when you come to public information accuracy is
everything. I never trust myself to mere report. I always travel up
to the very fountain 'ead of truth."

"I know it," said Lizzy Eustace oracularly.

"Um--m!" The Editor as he ejaculated the sound looked at her ladyship
with admiring eyes,--with eyes that were intended to flatter. But
Lizzie had been looked at so often in so many ways, and was so well
accustomed to admiration, that this had no effect on her at all. "'E
didn't tell you himself; did 'e, now?"

"Can you tell me the truth as to trusting him with my money?"

"Yes, I can."

"Shall I be safe if I take the papers which he calls bills of sale?"

"One good turn deserves another, my lady."

"I don't want to make a secret of it