nk I had neglected her, and was as obstinate as
an old mule. I believe she is getting stingy, too, and says she will
keep her money as long as she lives, and then I may do what I like with
it.'

'What is she worth?'

'Well, I should say by this time, she must have as good as six or seven
hundred a-year. She hasn't lived up to her income, and what she has
doled out to me now and then, hasn't touched the principal. She must
have from fifteen to twenty thousand pounds one way and another.'

'Ask her to come and visit you; take her about and make much of her, and
then seize upon her in an unwary moment. Borrow the money, and say you
will pay it back, which you know, you will be able to do, if you have
any luck.'

'That's a bright idea. The old soul has always been hankering to come to
London. Give me a pen and ink directly. Let me see; I know how she
likes me to begin. "Dear and honoured mother." Faugh! shall we go on in
the ancient style? "I hope this will find you well, as it leaves me at
present." I only wish it would find her--well--I think that will do. I
have told her that Netta and I will be delighted to see her, etc., etc.
And Netta hates her, too.'

'By the way, Jenkins, could not Mrs Howel Jenkins get Dancy to give in
about that money? She is a prime favourite.'

'Mrs Jenkins knows nothing of my money transactions, and certainly would
be the last person I should wish to interfere in such a matter. Let us
go and post this letter, and then I want to go to Tattersalls. Will you
dine with me at the club at six? and afterwards we will keep our
appointment with Dancy and Lord Dupe; we may make something of the
latter, if we can't of the former.'

It was nearly two o'clock in the morning when Howel reached his home.
His little girl was ill in the measles, and Netta, feeling anxious about
her, had been sitting up with her. When Howel entered the bedroom in
which the mother and child were, he began to talk in a loud voice.

'Why on earth don't you go to bed, Netta?'

Netta put her finger on her lips, and pointed to the little bed in which
her child was sleeping, then hurried into the next room, a kind of
nursery and play-room, and sent the maid, who was sitting there, into
the bedroom. Howel followed her; Netta saw that he had been drinking,
and was greatly excited; he never was absolutely intoxicated, but he
constantly drank too much.

'Why do you sit up I say, Netta?'

'Because Minette is so feverish; I did