ting serious--it is,
indeed--and you mustn't, you know; 'pon my word, you mustn't. Think of
the scandal and the expense; and you won't do yourself any good, besides
ruining me."

"What do you mean by ruining you?" said the Jew, for the young
nobleman's earnestness was such as no dread of a spunging-house, pure
and simple, would have evoked--"what's in the wind?--what do you mean?"

"Well, I tell you, don't I? I've got something in hand--something good,
you know."

"What is it?"

There was a few minutes' silence as, driven to bay by his necessities,
the scion of the not very noble house stood frowning and biting his
lips.

"Just as you like," said the Jew, coolly. "I don't want you to tell
me." And he again tried to leave, but his lordship stayed him.

"Now, look here," said the Jew again. "I've always been a friend to
you, Lord Maudlaine, and I'll give you one more chance. What did you go
to Italy for?"

There was no answer; and as his lordship stood with his back to the
door, the visitor walked across to the window, as if to signal to one of
the men waiting with the cab.

"Well, there," exclaimed his lordship, "to get out of your way."

The Jew smiled.

"I expected as much. And now, why did you come back?"

"To--because--Well, there; it's connected with the--with the--the good
thing I told you of."

"Now, look here, young man," said Abraham, without the "A," "are we to
be friends or enemies?"

"Friends, of course," said the young nobleman, scowling.

"Then, look here: I must have perfect openness. Just show me that this
is something genuine--something worth waiting for, and I'll wait--of
course, for a consideration."

He waited for some response to his words, but none was forthcoming.

"I'm not going to be treated like this!" exclaimed the visitor, with
mock anger. "I'll soon--"

"There, there--stop, and I'll tell you all about it. It is worth
waiting for."

His lordship stopped short again, and his by no means intellectual
countenance displayed strongly the shame and humiliation he felt.

"Well?" said the Jew.

"It's about a marriage--a matrimonial affair."

The Jew looked at him as if he would read his every thought.

"Plenty of money?" he said, at last.

"One of the richest heiresses in England."

"Are you sure of that?" said Braham; "or has some foreign countess got
hold of you again?"

"Sure? Yes!" cried Maudlaine, excitedly. "The father has been living
out of England