chair, with a brief laugh that did not sound
very natural.

"I think I know when I've had enough," he said. "Good-night!" And
"Good-night!" came from one and all of them--though there was an ominous
pause until the door was shut behind him.

He went down below, to the supper-room, which was all deserted now; he
drew in a chair to a small writing-table and took a sheet of note-paper.
On it he scrawled, with rather a feverish hand:

"As I understand it, I owe you L800 on this evening, with L300 from
yesterday--L1100 in all. I will try to let you have it to-morrow.
L.M."--and that he put in an envelope, which he addressed to "Percival
Miles, Esq.," and sent up-stairs by one of the servants. Then he went
and got his coat and hat, and left. It was raining hard, and there was a
blustering wind, but he called no hansom; the wet and cold seemed
grateful to him, for he was hot and excited. And then, somewhat blindly,
and bare-throated, he passed through the streaming thoroughfares--caring
little how long it took him to reach Piccadilly.

CHAPTER XXIII.

A MEMORABLE DAY.

"...But do you know, dear Maurice, that you propose marrying a
beggar; and, more than that, a most unabashed beggar, as you will
be saying to yourself presently? The fact is, immediately after you
left this afternoon, the post brought me a letter from Sister
Alexandra, who tells me that two of her small children, suffering
from hip-disease, must be sent home, for the doctors say they are
getting no better, and the beds in the ward are wanted. They are
not fit to be sent home, she writes; then all the country holiday
money collected last summer has been spent, and what is she to do?
Well, I have told her to send them on to me, and I shall take my
chance of finding the L5 that will be necessary. The fact is, I
happen to know one of the poor little things--Grace Wilson her name
is, the dearest little mite. But the truth is, dear Maurice, I
haven't a penny? for I have overdrawn the small allowance that
comes to me quarterly, and spent it all. Now don't be vexed that I
ask you, _so soon_, for a little help; a sovereign will do, if Linn
will give another; and Linn has always been very good to me in this
way, though for some time back I have been ashamed to take anything
from him. The doctor grumbles, but gives me five shillings whenever
I ask him; Auntie