said Harry, lightly; then, noticing the dismayed
look on Ranald's face, he added quickly, "but you don't need to spend
that much, you know. I say, you let me manage this thing." And
fortunate it was for Ranald that he had his friend's assistance in this
all-important business, but it took all Harry's judgment, skill, and
delicacy of handling to pilot his friend through the devious ways
of outfitters, for Ranald's ignorance of all that pertained to a
gentleman's wardrobe was equaled only by the sensitive pride on the
one hand that made him shrink from appearing poor and mean, and by his
Scotch caution on the other that forbade undue extravagance. It was
a hard hour and a half for them both, but when all was over, Ranald's
gratitude more than repaid Harry for his pains.

"Come up to-night," said Harry, as they stood at the door of the Hotel
du Nord, where Ranald had taken up his quarters.

"No," said Ranald, abruptly, unconsciously glancing down at his rough
dress.

"Then I'll come down here," said Harry, noting the glance.

"I will be very glad," replied Ranald, his face lighting up, for he was
more afraid than he cared to show of the lonely hours of that night. It
would be the first night in his life away from his own kin and friends.
But he was not so glad when, after tea, as he stood at the door of the
hotel, he saw sauntering toward him not only Harry, but also Lieutenant
De Lacy and his friend Mr. Sims.

"These fellows would come along," explained Harry; "I told them you
didn't want them."

"Showed how little he knew," said the lieutenant. "I told him you would
be delighted."

"Will you come in?" said Ranald, rather grudgingly, "though there is
nothing much inside."

"What a bear," said Mr. Sims to Harry, disgustedly, in a low voice.

"Nothing much!" said the lieutenant, "a good deal I should say from what
one can hear."

"Oh, that is nothing," replied Ranald; "the boys are having some games."

The bar-room was filled with men in shanty dress, some sitting with
chairs tipped back against the wall, smoking the black French "twist"
tobacco; others drinking at the bar; and others still at the tables that
stood in one corner of the room playing cards with loud exclamations and
oaths of delight or disgust, according to their fortune. The lieutenant
pushed his way through the crowd, followed by the others.

"A jolly lot, by Jove!" he exclaimed, looking with mild interest on the
scene, "and with the offer o