you should be made
secure, that you should have a sufficient income to support the title.
It is not a tenth, a twentieth of the sum you would have inherited, but
for this unfortunate accident of the native rising, and the collapse of
the South African Company."

Stafford scarcely heard him. He was thinking of his father's loving
foresight and care for his son's future. A pang of bereavement shot
through him.

"Very wise," said Mr. Falconer, grimly. "Whatever happens, Lord
Highcliffe is safe, high and dry above water mark. Carefully invested,
the capital sum may be made to produce an income of four thousand, or
thereabouts. Not too much for an earldom, but--Ah, well, it might be so
much worse."

"The servants--the small debts--this house--is there enough for them?"
asked Stafford, after a pause.

Mr. Chaffinch waved his hand.

"No need to trouble about that, my lord. There will be sufficient at
the bank to pay such small claims. Your lordship will keep the house
on?"

Stafford looked up with a sudden energy. "No," he said; "not a moment
longer than is necessary. I shall return to my old rooms."

"There is no occasion," began Mr. Chaffinch. "I need scarcely say that
the bank will honour your lordship's cheques for any amount."

"Please get rid of this house as soon as possible," said Stafford. He
rose as he spoke. "You will remain to lunch?"

They murmured a negative, and Stafford begging to be excused, left the
room, signing to Howard to follow him. He did not mean it, but his
manner, in the abstraction of his grief was as lordly as if he had
inherited an earldom of five centuries. When they had got back to the
little darkened room in which he had sat since his father's death,
Stafford turned to Howard:

"At what time and place is this meeting to-morrow, Howard?" he asked.

"At Gloucester House, Broad Street. Four."

Stafford nodded, and was lost in thought for a moment or two, then he
said:

"Howard, will you send my horses to Tattersall's? And the yacht to the
agents, for sale? There is nothing else, I think. I used to have some
diamond studs and rings, but I've lost them. I was always careless.
Great Heaven! When I think of the money I have spent, money that I
would give my life for now!"

"But, my dear old chap, a hundred thousand pounds! Four thousand a
year--it's not too much for a man in your position, but there's no need
to sell your horses."

Stafford laid his hand on Howard's shoulder and l