as bad again
next year. The very next chance he has he'll be a-cheating of her,
and robbing of her; and her money will go to keep a pack of rogues and
swindlers--I don't mean you, Captain--you've been a good friend to us
enough, bating we wish we'd never set eyes on you."

The Chevalier saw from the words which Mrs. Bonner had let slip
regarding the diamonds, that the kind Begum was disposed to relent once
more at least, and that there were hopes still for his principal.

"Upon my word, ma'am," he said, with a real feeling of sympathy for Lady
Clavering's troubles, and admiration for her untiring good-nature, and
with a show of enthusiasm which advanced not a little his graceless
patron's cause--"anything you say against Clavering, or Mrs. Bonner here
cries out against me, is no better than we deserve, both of us, and it
was an unlucky day for you when you saw either. He has behaved cruelly
to you and if you were not the most generous and forgiving woman in the
world, I know there would be no chance for him. But you can't let the
father of your son be a disgraced man, and send little Frank into the
world with such a stain upon him. Tie him down; bind him by any promises
you like: I vouch for him that he will subscribe them."

"And break 'em," said Mrs. Bonner.

"And keep 'em this time," cried out Strong. "He must keep them. If you
could have seen how he wept, ma'am! 'Oh, Strong,' he said to me, 'it's
not for myself I feel now: it's for my boy--it's for the best woman in
England, whom I have treated basely--I know I have.' He didn't intend to
bet upon this race, ma'am--indeed he didn't. He was cheated into it: all
the ring was taken in. He thought he might make the bet quite safely,
without the least risk. And it will be a lesson to him for all his life
long. To see a man cry--oh, it's dreadful."

"He don't think much of making my dear missus cry," said Mrs.
Bonner--"poor dear soul!--look if he does, Captain."

* * * * * *

"If you've the soul of a man, Clavering," Strong said to his principal,
when he recounted this scene to him, "you'll keep your promise this
time: and, so help me Heaven! if you break word with her, I'll turn
against you, and tell all."

"What all?" cried Mr. Francis, to whom his ambassador brought the
news back at Short's Hotel, where Strong found the Baronet crying and
drinking curacoa.

"Psha! Do you suppose I am a fool?" burst out Strong. "Do you suppose I
c