t through my credulity."

"It is of that I wish to speak. Please sit down. My client does not
wish you to fail. She will pay your debts."

"Impossible!"

"Please do not interrupt me. But she demands of you a favor in return."

"It is hers to command, whatever it is; but I will take no more money."

"Wait until you hear what I have to say. In consideration of what she
has done for you, and what she is ready to do for you, she asks you to
become her husband."

"Her husband?"

"Yes, that is the favor."

Francis Prime stood confounded, as if he were doubting either his sanity
or that of his companion.

"Her husband? Wishes me to become her husband?"

"Why not? She loves you."

"She is an old lady, you told me."

"Did I? I was trying to conceal from you then that she is young and
excessively beautiful. I will tell you more. She is worth four millions
in her own right."

"What is her name?"

"That I will tell you also,--Miss Virginia Harlan."

"I have heard of her. And she loves me?"

"Desperately. Come, sir, you hesitate, it seems to me. This is a chance
that does not come every day."

"Heavens and earth, what am I to say?"

"Say you accept. You asked my advice once, and now I give it to you
again."

"But I do not love her."

"A mere bagatelle. You would very soon."

"I am of another opinion. I could never love her, for the reason,"--he
paused an instant,--"for the reason that I love some one else."

"Ah! if you are married, that settles it."

"I am not married."

"Young man, you are a great fool then." The lawyer was really waxing
angry. "This young lady is the superior of any man I know. You are
throwing away a prize."

"That may be, sir. But if you recall a speech I made in this office some
six months ago, you will remember that I said I was a gentleman. If I
should accept the offer you make me, I should be one no longer. And I
prize my reputation in that respect more than I cherish anything in the
world."

"This sounds well, sir, but it is childishness. You are bound to make
my client amends for your folly. It is in your power to marry her, and
if you are a man you will make her that reparation."

"Excuse me, Mr. Chelm, it would be foolish for us to argue longer on
this point. I will call again to-morrow, when we are both less excited.
Do not think I wish time to reflect, for my decision is final. But I
should like your client to know that I am not wholly an ingrate.
To-morrow, if yo