ng him
his shoes." Now Rafferty was the First Commissioner's messenger.

It must be remembered, however, that this little account was given by
an outgoing and discomfited private secretary. "A man is not asked to
bring another man his shoes," said Eames to himself, "until he shows
himself fit for that sort of business." Then he made within his own
breast a little resolution about Sir Raffle's shoes.

CHAPTER XLVII

The New Private Secretary

INCOME-TAX OFFICE, April 8, 18--.

MY DEAR LORD DE GUEST,

I hardly know how to answer your letter, it is so very
kind--more than kind. And about not writing before,--I must
explain that I have not liked to trouble you with letters.
I should have seemed to be encroaching if I had written
much. Indeed it didn't come from not thinking about you.
And first of all, about the money,--as to your offer, I
mean. I really feel that I do not know what I ought to say
to you about it, without appearing to be a simpleton. The
truth is, I don't know what I ought to do, and can only
trust to you not to put me wrong. I have an idea that a man
ought not to accept a present of money, unless from his
father, or somebody like that. And the sum you mention is
so very large that it makes me wish you had not named it.
If you choose to be so generous, would it not be better
that you should leave it me in your will?

"So that he might always want me to be dying," said Lord De Guest, as
he read the letter out loud to his sister.

"I'm sure he wouldn't want that," said Lady Julia. "But you may live
for twenty-five years, you know."

"Say fifty," said the earl. And then he continued the reading of his
letter.

But all that depends so much upon another person, that it
is hardly worth while talking about it. Of course I am very
much obliged to Mr Dale,--very much indeed,--and I think
that he is behaving very handsomely to his niece. But
whether it will do me any good, that is quite another
thing. However, I shall certainly accept your kind
invitation for Easter, and find out whether I have a chance
or not. I must tell you that Sir Raffle Buffle has made me
his private secretary, by which I get a hundred a year.
He says he was a great crony of yours many years ago,
and seems to like talking about you very much. You will
understand what all that means. He has sent you ever so
many messages, but I