you care for me, sir, it's your duty to tell me the honest truth
about everything. Am I less than Richard Trevor?"

Bodily, of course, she was; but as she meant in his regards, he said she
was all the world to him.

"Now, then," said Fin, "does he go to see that girl now?"

"Yes," said Pratt; "but I'm sure it's all in innocence. The poor girl
is in a dying state. I went to see her with him once, and a sweeter
creature you never saw."

"Then she has captivated you, too?" cried Fin, viciously.

"Oh, come--I say!" exclaimed Pratt. "Fin, that goes right to my heart."

"And now about Vanleigh. You've boasted over and over again that you
could produce something which would put a stop to his pretensions--where
is it?"

"You are so hard on a poor fellow," said Pratt. "I am trying my best,
and I feel quite sure that he has no right to pretend to the hand of
your sister; but then, you know, before one makes such a charge, there
must be good personal and documentary evidence."

"Well," exclaimed Pin, "and where is it?"

"I haven't got it yet," said Pratt; "but I have tried very, very hard.
I shall succeed, though, yet, I know."

"And while you are succeeding, poor Tiny is to be sacrificed?"

"Oh no; not so bad as that. I don't despair of seeing Dick back at
Penreife, and your dear sister its mistress."

"Then I do," cried Pin, bitterly; "for she's drifting into a state of
melancholy, and will let them persuade her to do what they wish. She
thinks Richard has given her up, and deceived her; and soon she won't
care whether she lives or dies."

"But, Fin--" said Pratt.

"Miss Rea, if you please, Mr Pratt," said the girl, formally.

"Don't be hard on me," he pleaded. "I'm trying my best, and if I can
only get some one to speak, I shall have the whole thing at my finger's
ends."

"Then the sooner you do the better," said Fin, sharply. "Good-bye."

"One moment, dear," whispered Pratt.

"Well, what is it?" said Fin.

"Give me one kind look, you beautiful little darling," whispered Pratt.

Fin made a grimace, and then, as if in spite of herself, her bright eyes
beamed on him for a moment ere she withdrew them.

"And now tell me this," whispered Pratt; "if they say any more to you
about Landells, or if he speaks to you, you'll--you'll--you'll--"

"There, good-bye!" cried Fin. "How can you be such a goose? I haven't
patience with you--good-bye."

There was a look accompanying that good-bye that sent