laughed away very pleasantly.

"You are rather a Job's comforter, Twining," said Beecher, tartly.

"Not very like Job, your Lordship; very little resemblance, I must say,
my Lord! Much more occasion for pride than patience,--peerage and a fine
property!"

"I 'm sure I never coveted it; I can frankly say I never desired
prosperity at the price of--the price of--By the way, Twining, why
not compromise this affair? I don't see why a handsome sum--I'm quite
willing it should be handsome--would n't put all straight. A clever
friend might be able to arrange the whole thing. Don't you agree with
me?"

"Perfectly, my Lord; quite convinced you have taken the correct view."

"Should you feel any objection to act for me in the matter,--I mean, to
see Davis?"

Twining winced like a man in pain.

"Why, after all, it is a mere negotiation."

"Very true, my Lord."

"A mere experiment."

"Just so, my Lord; so is proving a new cannon; but I'd just as soon not
sit on the breech for the first fire."

"It's wonderful how every one is afraid of this fellow, and _I_ wind him
round my finger!"

"Tact, my Lord,--tact and cleverness, that's it."

"You see, Twining," said Beecher, confidentially, "I'm not quite clear
that I 'd like to be off. I have n't regularly made up my mind about it.
There's a good deal to be said on either side of the question. I'll tell
you what to do: come and breakfast with us to-morrow morning,--I 'd say
dine, but I mean to get away early and push on towards the South; you
shall see her, and then--and then we 'll have a talk afterwards."

"Charmed, my Lord,--delighted,--too happy. What 's your hour?"

"Let us say eleven. Does that suit you?"

"Perfectly; any hour,--eleven, twelve, one,--whenever your Lordship
pleases."

"Well, good-night, Twining, good-night."

"Good-night, my Lord, good-night. What fun!" muttered he, slapping his
legs as he stepped out to his lodgings.

It was not till he had smoked his fourth cigar, taking counsel from his
tobacco, as was his wont, that the new Viscount returned to his hotel.
It was then nigh morning, and the house was so buried in sleep that he
knocked full half an hour before he gained admittance.

"There's a gentleman arrived, sir, who asked after you. He didn't give
his name."

"What is he like,--old, young, short, or tall?"

"Middle-aged, sir, and short, with red beard and moustaches. He drank
tea with the lady upstairs, sir, and waited to see you ti