t at which Mrs Fiddison's modest
furniture groaned. "Old lady object to this?"

Frank tapped the case of his big pipe, as he drew it from his pocket in
company with a vile-scented tobacco pouch.

"Oh no, I'm licenced," said Richard, dreamily; for his thoughts were
upon his friend's words, and he felt as if he had unwittingly been doing
a great wrong.

"I'm going to take this up, Dick," said Pratt, after smoking a few
minutes in silence.

"Take what up?" said Richard, starting.

"This affair of yours, and these people."

"I don't understand you."

"Perhaps not," said Pratt, shortly. "But look here, Dick, you're not
going to break faith with some one."

"Break faith, Frank!" exclaimed Richard, angrily. "There is no
engagement now. The poor girl is free till I have made such a
fortune"--he smiled bitterly--"as will enable me once more to propose.
There, there, don't say another word, Franky, old man, it cuts--deeper
than you think. I wouldn't say this much to another man living. But as
for that poor child over the way, I have never had a thought towards her
beyond pity."

"Which is near akin to love," muttered Frank. Then aloud--"All right,
Dick. I could not help noticing it; but be careful. Little girls'
hearts are made of tender stuff--some of them," he said, speaking
ruefully--"when they are touched by fine, tall, good-looking fellows."

"Pish!" ejaculated Richard. "Change the subject."

"Going to," said Pratt, filling his pipe afresh, and smoking once more
furiously. "Better open that window, these pokey rooms so soon get
full. That's right. Now, then, for a change. Look here, old fellow,
you know I'm going ahead now, actually refusing briefs. Do you hear,
you unbelieving-looking dog?--refusing briefs, and only taking the best
cases."

"Bravo!" said Richard, trying to smile cheerily.

"I'm getting warm, Dick--making money. Q.C. some day, my boy--perhaps.
But seriously, Dick, old fellow, I am going ahead at a rate that
surprises no one more than yours truly. When I'd have given my ears for
a good case, and would have studied it night and day, the beggars
wouldn't have given me one to save my life, even if I'd have done it for
nothing. Now, when I'm so pressed that it's hard work to get them up,
they come and beg me to take briefs. This very morning, one came from a
big firm of solicitors at ten o'clock, marked fifty guineas, and I
refused it. At one o'clock, hang me if they didn't co