much to his comfort. Sir Lionel was rather petulant
when he was with him; objected to him that he had played his cards
badly; would talk about Caroline, and, which was almost worse, about
the solicitor-general; constantly urged him to make overtures of
reconciliation to his uncle; and wanted one day five pounds, on
another ten pounds, and again on a third fifteen pounds. At this
moment George's fixed income was but two hundred pounds a year, and
any other wealth of which he was possessed was the remainder of his
uncle's thousand pounds. When that was gone, he must either live on
his income, small as it was, or write for the booksellers. Such being
the case, he felt himself obliged to decline when the fifteen pounds
was mentioned.

"You can let me have it for a couple of months?" said Sir Lionel.

"Not conveniently," said his son.

"I will send it you back immediately on my return to Littlebath,"
said the father; "so if you have got it by you, pray oblige me."

"I certainly have got it," said the son--and he handed him the
desired check; "but I think you should remember, sir, how very small
my income is, and that there is no prospect of its being increased."

"It must be altogether your own fault then," said the colonel,
pocketing the money. "I never knew a young man who had a finer hand
of cards put into his hand--never; if you have played it badly, it
is your own fault, altogether your own fault." In truth, Sir Lionel
did really feel that his son had used him badly, and owed him
some amends. Had George but done his duty, he might now have been
the actual recognized heir of his uncle's wealth, and the actual
possessor of as much as would have been allowed to a dutiful,
obedient son. To a man of Sir Lionel's temperament, it was annoying
that there should be so much wealth so near him, and yet absolutely,
and, alas! probably for ever out of his reach.

Sir Lionel had resolved to wait in London for his answer, and there
he received it. Short as was poor Miss Baker's letter, it was quite
sufficiently explicit. She had betrayed him to the old gentleman,
and after that all hopes of money from that source were over.
It might still be possible for him to talk over Miss Baker, but
such triumph would be but barren. Miss Baker with a transferred
allegiance--transferred from the old gentleman to him--would be but
a very indifferent helpmate. He learnt, however, from Littlebath
that she was still away, and would probably not