ed, you know. Sylvie is very generous: she would go there
to-day if she were needed."

"Would she? She may be before it is all over."

"Go down and tell her, Maverick, when you are in that direction."

Maverick nodded.

Darcy was just in time to catch his train. There had been quite a fall
of snow from midnight to dawn, and the trees were glittering with
thousands of diamond-sparks and patches of fleecy ermine. The winding
roads were white; the cottages and the fence-posts were hooded; and the
snow caught all the tints of sun and shadowy lights, reflecting them
back like a mirror. His heart was so light as they whirled along, he
smiled, and could hardly forbear shouting at a group of boys who were
snow-balling by the roadside.

He met Miss McLeod at Mr. Hildreth's. They had the private office to
themselves; and he related the mishaps of the past three months, showed
her the actual figures, and admitted that times seemed really harder
than last year. There was such a horrible shrinkage everywhere! Still
there must be some trade presently,--it always had been so in the
history of the world.

"I think you deserve a great deal of credit for having pulled through so
far on your limited capital," said she. "Some of the business-men I
meet, think this will prove the hardest year in our history. It will
winnow the chaff from the wheat pretty well."

"If it does not winnow us all into chaff," returned the young fellow,
with a touch of grim humor.

"We shall come back to smaller profits and greater industry. The world
will not be able to play at being ladies and gentlemen, and perhaps a
little wholesome work will not be a bad discipline."

Then she wanted to know what amount would be likely to tide him over for
the next six months. He said he did not desire to exceed ten thousand
dollars. She would make it twelve, however. After the notes were duly
signed, she took him to her bank, and introduced him. As he had some
other parties to see, she drove him about in her carriage, and insisted
upon taking him home with her presently.

What an elegant old lady she was in her sables and velvets, and her
royal air! her eyes bright with spirit and energy, her cheeks a little
pink with the crisp air, glad sunshine, and perhaps her own hearty,
wholesome mood. Occasionally she leaned out and nodded to some friend;
and once her carriage drew up to the sidewalk as she summoned a fine,
portly-looking gentleman to her.

"Mr. Throckmo