with which Audrey received her sister's attentions.

CHAPTER XLIII

MICHAEL'S LETTER

'Be not ashamed to be helped; for it is thy business to do thy
duty, like a soldier in the assault on a town. How then, if being
lame, thou canst not mount up on the battlements alone, but with
the help of another it is possible.'--M. AURELIUS ANTONINUS.

About a week afterwards, Michael was writing in his sitting-room in
South Audley Street when Cyril Blake entered the room. He put down his
hat and began taking off his gloves as he stood by the table.

'Well,' asked Michael, looking up from his cheque-book; 'have you hit it
off, old man?'

'Yes; we have settled it,' returned Cyril, dropping into a chair as
though he were tired. 'And I am to enter on my duties next week.'

'Next week! That is uncommonly short notice. Unwin must be in a precious
hurry to close with the bargain.'

'He is in a hurry. He says his work is all in arrears, and that his
publishers want his book on Cyprus as soon as he can let them have it;
and the papers are all in confusion. Of course I let him know that I was
in no need of a holiday, and that I would far rather commence work at
once. Mr. Unwin was most kind and considerate. My hours are to be from
ten to six; so I shall be able to give a lesson or two in the evening.'

'You know my opinion on that subject; but I fancy I have exhausted all
my arguments for no purpose.'

'I am afraid so too,' returned Cyril quietly. 'Mr. Unwin thinks he can
find me a pupil--a young fellow who is behind-hand with his classics,
and has got plucked in his examination. Really, Burnett, I am extremely
indebted to you for this introduction to Mr. Unwin. In spite of his
peculiarities, he seems to have an excellent heart.'

'Oh yes; he is an out-and-out good fellow. I can tell you some anecdotes
that are very much to his credit, only I know he would never forgive me.
Unwin likes his kind actions to blush unseen. Shall you think me
impertinent, Blake, if I ask what amount of salary he means to give
you?'

'Not in the least; you have every right to know. I am to have a hundred
and twenty pounds a year--that is only thirty pounds less than I had at
Rutherford. I never expected such good pay.'

'Ah! Unwin can afford it.'

'He seemed to say so. One thing--he thought I was older than I am. He
seemed quite surprised when I told him I was only three-and-twenty.'

Michael looked up a little sharpl