or the first time, that it is not the actual amount of income
one has, but the way it's spent, that constitutes poverty and wealth.

CHAPTER XVIII.--THE FORTUNE FOUND.

Mr. Gregory did not consent to Bertie Rivers leaving Gore House with a
very good grace, and he bitterly resented the interest Mr. Murray took
in both boys. He wished to keep them entirely under his own control--as,
indeed, he had the power to do, being their sole guardian since Mr.
Clair's death; but, on the other hand, he was not in a position to
refuse Mr. Murray a trifling favour, as he had just begged a very heavy
one from him. Things had been going on very badly in Mincing Lane for
some time, and Mr. Gregory had been peculiarly unfortunate in his
business transactions: he kept on losing large sums of money without in
the least retrenching his expenditure, and at length it became painfully
clear, even to himself, that nothing short of a large sum of ready money
could save him from failure and disgrace and ruin, and that there was
only one man in London who could and would assist him--for Mr. Gregory
was more respected than liked by his brother merchants. Mr. Murray was
willing to do all that he wanted, on certain conditions. First of all,
he wished Mr. Gregory to give up the guardianship of Eddie and Bertie
Rivers, and that their uncle willingly consented to, for he feared that
when Eddie came of age there might be some awkward questions to answer
about the management--or rather, mismanagement--of the property, if he
were called to give an account of his stewardship. Then Mr. Gregory, Mr.
Murray said, was too extravagant: he should curtail his expenses, and
live according to his income: cut down his establishment, and put the
boys to some profession or work of some sort, for he declared he had no
intention that his honestly and hard-earned money should be squandered
in unnecessary luxury. Mr. Gregory agreed to all Mr. Murray's
conditions, and at the time meant fully to perform his promises, but the
immediate pressure of his difficulties being removed, he went on in much
the same way, and Mr. Murray, who was observing closely, resolved never
again to advance money to maintain such senseless extravagance.

Though old Mr. Murray had quite made up his mind what he would do for
Eddie and Bertie Rivers, he determined to make sure first that they
deserved his kindness. It was good to see Mrs. Clair's cheerful face,
and hear her pleasant voice, as she recou