bachelor and somewhat of an
oddity; but in his own way I don't know a better fellow.'

Cyril listened to this description with languid interest.

'It sounds as though it would do,' he replied, after a moment's
reflection. 'At least, I might try it for a time. Last night I thought
of going to New Zealand. I could get a mastership there.'

'That is not a bad idea; but you might try the secretaryship first, if
Unwin be willing to come to terms. The work would be novel and
interesting, and your mother might not like the New Zealand scheme.'

Then, at the mention of his mother, Cyril's face seemed to harden.

Michael took no apparent notice of this.

'I tell you what we will do, Blake. We will go up to town together. When
would you like to start--to-morrow?' Here Cyril nodded. 'I have diggings
of my own, you know, in South Audley Street. They are very comfortable
rooms, and I can always get a bed for a friend. The people of the house
are most accommodating. Besides, I am a good tenant. I will put you up,
Blake, for any length of time you like to name. I will not promise to
bear you company after the first week or so; but by that time you will
find yourself quite at home. And we will interview the old fellow as
soon as possible.'

'You are too good! I have no right to burden you so;' but a ray of hope
shone in Cyril's sunken eyes: he was not the outcast he had seemed to
be, if this man stood by him.

'Nonsense! How can you burden me?' returned Michael briskly. 'I shall be
delighted to have your company. And the rooms are always there, you
know. They may as well be used.'

'And we can go to-morrow. You see, I am accepting your generous offer;
but how can I help myself? I must find work, or I shall go mad.'

'Just so, and I will help you to find it. There is some good, after all,
in being an idle man: one can do a good turn for a friend. Well, we will
say to-morrow. I shall be quite at your service, then; but there are two
things that must be done first. Blake, do you know how ill your mother
is? I was quite shocked to see her just now.'

'Yes, Mollie told me so last night; she wanted me to come down to her,
but I knew that it was far better for both of us that I should remain
where I was; I was in no mood for a scene;' and Cyril knitted his brows
as he spoke.

'You were the best judge of that, of course; but I should advise you to
see her now.'

His grave tone somewhat startled Cyril.

'Do you mean that she i