a bit till things have
blown over."

Charles considered for a few moments, and then said:

"Are you going to dun your sister for money again, or give her another
fright by lying in wait for her? Of course, if you broke your word
about coming back, you might break it about trying to get money out of
her."

"I might," assented Raymond; "in fact, I was on the point of making my
presence known to her, and suggesting a pecuniary advance, when you came
up. I don't know at present what I shall do, as I let that opportunity
slip. It just depends."

Charles considered again.

"It's a pity to trouble her, isn't it?" said Raymond, his shrewd eyes
watching him; "and women are best out of money-matters. Besides, if she
has promised you she won't pay up without advice, she'll stick to it.
Nothing will turn her when she once settles on anything, if she is at
all like what she used to be. She has got dollars of her own. You had
better settle with me, and pay yourself back when you are married. Dear
me! There's no occasion to look so murderous. I suppose I'm at liberty
to draw my own conclusions."

"You had better draw them a little more carefully in future," said
Charles, savagely. "Your sister is engaged to be married to a man
without a sixpence."

"By George," said Raymond, "that won't suit my book at all. I'd
rather"--with another glance at Charles--"I'd rather she'd marry a man
with money."

If Charles was of the same opinion he did not express it. He remained
silent for a few minutes to give weight to his last remark, and then
said, slowly:

"So you see you won't get anything more from that quarter. You had
better make the most you can out of me."

Raymond nodded.

"The most you will get, in fact, I may say _all_ you will get from me,
is enough ready money to carry you to Paris, and a check for twenty
pounds to follow, when I hear you have arrived there."

"It's mean," said Raymond; "it's cursed mean; and from a man like you,
too, whom I feel for as a brother. I'd rather try my luck with Ruth.
She's not married yet, anyway."

"You will do as you like," said Charles, getting up. "If I find you have
been trying your luck with her, as you call it, you won't get a farthing
from me afterwards. And you may remember, she can't help you without
consulting her friends. And your complaint is one that requires absolute
quiet, or I'm very much mistaken."

Raymond bit his finger, and looked irresolute.

"To-day is Wednes