about the biggest thing on record, and is going to sweep
the market. All the big 'uns are in it, Griffenberg and Wirsch and the
Beltons. They say Sir Stephen has made half a million of money out of
it already, and that he will make a couple of millions before he has
done with it. There was a rumour in the city to-day that he was to get
a peerage; for it's a kind of national affair, you see."

Ida was sitting beyond the radius of the light from the evil-smelling
lamp, so that the others did not perceive the sudden pallor of her
face. It seemed to her a cruel fate that she could not escape, even
here, so many miles away from Herondale, from the reminder of the man
she had loved and lost. The name struck on her heart like a stroke
causing actual physical pain. She sat perfectly still, her hands
clasped tightly in her lap, as the wave of misery swept over her.

"Here is an instance of toil rewarded," said Mr. Heron, promptly
improving the occasion. "The labourer is worthy of his hire; and no
doubt Sir Stephen Orme, by bringing vast tracts under the beneficent
influence of civilisation, merits the approval of his sovereign and a
substantial reward at the hands of his fellow-subjects. Let us trust
that he will use his wealth and high position for the welfare of the
heathen who rage in the land which he has--er--"

"Collared," put in Mr. Joseph, in an undertone and with a grin.

--"Added to the queen's dominions," said Mr. Heron. "I will consider
about the shares. I do not approve of speculation--the pursuit of
Mammon--but as I should use the money for charitable purposes, I may on
this occasion--"

"Better make up your mind pretty soon," remarked Joseph, with a yawn.
"There's a rush for them already."

"Now that the gentlemen have got on to business, my dear, I think we
had better retire to the drawing-room," said Mrs. Heron, with an
attempt at the "grand lady."

They returned to that apartment--Mr. Joseph did not open the door for
them--and Mrs. Heron and Isabel at once started on a series of
questions calculated to elicit all the details of Ida's past life, her
father's death and her present deplorable condition. Women can be much
more merciless than men in this kind of inquisition; and Ida, weary in
mind and body and spirit, suffered acutely under the ordeal. The two
women did not intend to be unkind--they were really sorry for the
homeless orphan; they were prepared to like her; they reluctantly and
grudgingly adm