it." Archie was not disposed to make
any bones about it as regarded his acceptance either of the berth or of
the grub and wine, and as he would be expected to earn his passage by
his work, there was no necessity for any scruple; but there arose the
question whether he had not got more important fish to fry. He had not
as yet made his proposal to Lady Ongar, and although he now knew that he
had nothing to hope from the Russian Spy, nevertheless he thought that
he might as well try his own hand at the venture. His resolution on this
head was always stronger after dinner than before, and generally became
stronger and more strong as the evening advanced; so that he usually
went to bed with a firm determination "to pop," as he called it to his
friend Doodles, early on the next day; but distance affected him as well
as the hour of the day, and his purpose would become surprisingly cool
in the neighborhood of Bolton Street. When, however, his brother
suggested that he should be taken altogether away from the scene of
action, he thought of the fine income and of Ongar Park with pangs of
regret, and ventured upon a mild remonstrance. "But there's this affair
of Julia, you know," said he.

"I thought that was all off," said Hugh.

"O dear, no; not off at all. I haven't asked her yet."

"I know you've not; and I don't suppose you ever will."

"Yes, I shall; that is to say, I mean it. I was advised not to be in too
much of a hurry; that is to say, I thought it best to let her settle
down a little after her first seeing me."

"To recover from her confusion?"

"Well, not exactly that. I don't suppose she was confused."

"I should say not. My idea is that you haven't a ghost of chance, and
that as you haven't done anything all this time, you need not trouble
yourself now."

"But I have done something," said Archie, thinking of his seventy
pounds.

"You may as well give it up, for she means to marry Harry."

"No!"

"But I tell you she does. While you've been thinking he's been doing.
From what I hear, he may have her to-morrow for the asking."

"But he's engaged to that girl whom they had with them down at the
rectory," said Archie, in a tone which showed with what horror he should
regard any inconstancy toward Florence Burton on the part of Harry
Clavering.

"What does that matter? You don't suppose he'll let seven thousand a
year slip through his fingers because he had promised to marry a little
girl like her? If her