fferent with me. He was glad to catch me, and therefore the
money was settled."

"I've got a tidy income of my own, you know," said the Captain,
thinking that he was entitled to be made more welcome as a son-in-law
than the younger son of a peer who had no income.

"Take your chance," continued Traffick. "What on earth can a man
like Tringle do with his money except give it to his children? He is
rough, as you say, but he is not hard-hearted, nor yet stubborn. I
can do pretty nearly what I like with him."

"Can you, though?"

"Yes; by smoothing him down the right way. You run your chance, and
we'll get it all put right for you." The Captain hesitated, rubbing
his head carefully to encourage the thoughts which were springing up
within his bosom. The Honourable Mr. Traffick might perhaps succeed
in getting the affair put right, as he called it, in the interest
rather of the elder than of the second daughter. "I don't see how
you can hesitate now, as you have been off with the girl," said Mr.
Traffick.

"I don't know about that. I should like to see the money settled."

"There would have been nothing settled if you had married her at
Ostend."

"But I didn't," said the Captain. "I tell you what you might do. You
might talk him over and make him a little more reasonable. I should
be ready to-morrow if he'd come forward."

"What's the sum you want?"

"The same as yours, I suppose."

"That's out of the question," said Mr. Traffick, shaking his head.
"Suppose we say sixty thousand pounds." Then after some chaffering on
the subject it was decided between them that Mr. Traffick should use
his powerful influence with his father-in-law to give his daughter on
her marriage,--say a hundred thousand pounds if it were possible, or
sixty thousand pounds at the least.

CHAPTER LVIII.

MR. TRAFFICK IN LOMBARD STREET.

Mr. Traffick entertained some grand ideas as to the house of Travers
and Treason. Why should not he become a member, and ultimately the
leading member, of that firm? Sir Thomas was not a young man, though
he was strong and hearty. Tom had hitherto succeeded only in making
an ass of himself. As far as transacting the affairs of the firm,
Tom,--so thought Mr. Traffick,--was altogether out of the question.
He might perish in those extensive travels which he was about to
take. Mr. Traffick did not desire any such catastrophe;--but the
young man might perish. There was a great opening. Mr. Traffick, with