ss I cannot see that in the station he is likely to occupy such
qualities are at all essential," said Sir Stafford, almost haughtily.

"Twenty thousand a year is a fine thing, and may dispense with a great
many gifts in its possessor; and a man like myself, who never owned a
twentieth of the amount, may be a precious bad judge of the requisites
to spend it suitably; but I 'll tell you one thing, Onslow, that organ
the phrenologists call 'Combativeness' is the best in the whole skull."

"I think your Irish friend Dalton must have been imparting some of his
native prejudices to you," said Onslow, smiling; "and, by the way, when
have you seen him?"

"I went to call there last night, but I found a tea-party, and did n't
go in. Only think of these people, with beggary staring them on every
side, sending out for 'Caravan' tea at I don't know how many florins a
pound."

"I heard of it; but then, once and away--"

"Once and away! Ay, but once is ruin."

"Well, I hope Prichard has arranged everything by this time. He has gone
over this morning to complete the business; so that I trust, when we
leave Baden, these worthy people will be m the enjoyment of easier
circumstances."

"I see him crossing over the street now. I'll leave you together."

"No, no, Grounsell; wait and hear his report; we may want your advice
besides, for I 'm not quite clear that this large sum of arrears should
be left at Dalton's untrammelled disposal, as Mr. Prichard intended it
should be a test of that excellent gentleman's prudence."

Mr. Prichard's knock was now heard at the door, and next moment
he entered. His pale countenance was slightly flushed, and in the
expression of his face it might be read that he had come from a scene of
unusual excitement.

"I have failed, completely failed, Sir Stafford," said he, with a sigh,
as he seated himself, and threw a heavy roll of paper on the table
before him.

As Sir Stafford did not break the pause that followed these words,
Prichard resumed,

"I told you last night that Mr. Dalton, not being able clearly to
understand my communication, which I own, to prevent any searching
scrutiny on his part, I did my best to envelop in a covering of
technicalities, referred me to his eldest daughter, in whose acuteness
he reposes much confidence. If I was not impressed with the difficulty
of engaging such an adversary from his description, still less was I
on meeting with the young lady this morning. A very