and hastily added: "Very great wealth is never a blessing.

"And now," said she, with a total change of manner, "I wish to
address you on a subject which may strike you as ill-timed, but which,
nevertheless, I must mention, if the purpose I have at heart is ever to
be accomplished. My uncle, as you know, was engaged at the time of his
death in writing a book on Chinese customs and prejudices. It was a work
which he was anxious to see published, and naturally I desire to carry
out his wishes; but, in order to do so, I find it necessary not only
to interest myself in the matter now,--Mr. Harwell's services being
required, and it being my wish to dismiss that gentleman as soon as
possible--but to find some one competent to supervise its completion.
Now I have heard,--I have been told,--that you were the one of all
others to do this; and though it is difficult if not improper for me to
ask so great a favor of one who but a week ago was a perfect stranger to
me, it would afford me the keenest pleasure if you would consent to look
over this manuscript and tell me what remains to be done."

The timidity with which these words were uttered proved her to be in
earnest, and I could not but wonder at the strange coincidence of this
request with my secret wishes; it having been a question with me for
some time how I was to gain free access to this house without in any way
compromising either its inmates or myself. I did not know then that Mr.
Gryce had been the one to recommend me to her favor in this respect.
But, whatever satisfaction I may have experienced, I felt myself in duty
bound to plead my incompetence for a task so entirely out of the line
of my profession, and to suggest the employment of some one better
acquainted with such matters than myself. But she would not listen to
me.

"Mr. Harwell has notes and memoranda in plenty," she exclaimed, "and
can give you all the information necessary. You will have no difficulty;
indeed, you will not."

"But cannot Mr. Harwell himself do all that is requisite? He seems to be
a clever and diligent young man."

But she shook her head. "He thinks he can; but I know uncle never
trusted him with the composition of a single sentence."

"But perhaps he will not be pleased,--Mr. Harwell, I mean--with the
intrusion of a stranger into his work."

She opened her eyes with astonishment. "That makes no difference," she
cried. "Mr. Harwell is in my pay, and has nothing to say about it.
Bu