t? There was but
one hope. Time might have inclined the younger brother to make atonement
to the memory of the elder, by a favourable reception of his nephew's
request.

His father's last words of caution, his own boyish promise not to claim
kindred with his relations in England, were vividly present to the mind
of Amelius, while he waited for the return of the messenger. His one
justification was in the motives that animated him. Circumstances, which
his father had never anticipated, rendered it an act of duty towards
himself to make the trial at least of what his family interest could
do for him. There could be no sort of doubt that a man of Mr. Farnaby's
character would yield, if Amelius could announce that he had the promise
of an appointment under Government--with the powerful influence of a
near relation to accelerate his promotion. He sat, idly drawing lines
on the blotting-paper; at one moment regretting that he had sent his
letter; at another, comforting himself in the belief that, if his father
had been living to advise him, his father would have approved of the
course that he had taken.

The messenger returned with these lines of reply:--

"Under any ordinary circumstances, I should have used my influence
to help you on in the world. But, when you not only hold the most
abominable political opinions, but actually proclaim those opinions in
public, I am amazed at your audacity in writing to me. There must be
no more communication between us. While you are a Socialist, you are a
stranger to me."

Amelius accepted this new rebuff with ominous composure. He sat quietly
smoking in the deserted room, with his uncle's letter in his hand.

Among the other disastrous results of the lecture, some of the
newspapers had briefly reported it. Preoccupied by his anxieties,
Amelius had forgotten this when he wrote to his relative. "Just like
me!" he thought, as he threw the letter into the fire. His last hopes
floated up the chimney, with the tiny puff of smoke from the burnt
paper. There was now no other chance of shortening the marriage
engagement left to try. He had already applied to the good friend whom
he had mentioned to Regina. The answer, kindly written in this case, had
not been very encouraging:--

"I have other claims to consider. All that I can do, I will do. Don't be
disheartened--I only ask you to wait."

Amelius rose to go home--and sat down again. His natural energy seemed
to have deserted him--it r