adies smiled, young men listened, old gentlemen brought
out their best wines, and all was delightful. All but this, that the
"res angusta" did occasionally remind him that he was mortal. Oh,
that sordid brother of his, who could have given him thousands on
thousands without feeling the loss of them! We have been unable to
see much of old Mr. Bertram in recapitulating the story of young Mr.
Bertram's latter doings. But it should have been said, that early in
the present year he had not been quite as well as his friends could
wish. George had gone to see him once or twice, and so also had his
niece Miss Baker, and his granddaughter. He had said but very little
to them; but on Miss Baker's mind an impression had been left that it
would please him to see the marriage completed.

And at this time likewise his brother, Sir Lionel, had thought it
expedient to see him. There had hitherto been no interview between
them since Sir Lionel's return. The colonel had found out, and had
been duly astonished at finding out, the history of Miss Baker and
her niece. That George and Caroline would be the heirs to a great
portion of his brother's money he could not doubt; that Miss Baker
would have something he thought probable; and then he reflected, that
in spite of all that was come and gone, his brother's heart might
relent on his death-bed. It might be that he could talk the sick man
round; and if that were impracticable, he might at least learn how
others stood in his brother's favour. Sir Lionel was not now a young
man himself. Ease and a settled life would be good for him. What, if
he married Miss Baker!

He first called on Pritchett. Mr. Pritchett told him that his brother
was better--considerably better. Sir Lionel was in raptures. He had
hurried up from Littlebath in an agony. He had heard most distressing
accounts. He would however go down to Hadley and see his brother.

"I am afraid Mr. Bertram is not very much up to company just at
present," wheezed out Mr. Pritchett.

"But a brother, you know," suggested Sir Lionel.

Pritchett knew exactly how the brothers stood with each other; and he
himself, though he was very partial to Mr. George, had not any warm
love for Sir Lionel.

"Oh, yes; a brother is a brother, surely. But, Mr. Bertram, you know,
sir--"

"You mean," said Sir Lionel, "that he is a little vexed about the
account."

"Oh, yes, the account; there is the account, Sir Lionel. If it is
to settle that, perhaps