nds, on
condition that she might be allowed to stand as godmother!

"We could not consent to accept the money," said the Marquis very
gravely.

"Why not? Mary is her nearest living relative in that generation. As a
matter of course, she will leave her money to Mary or her
children,--unless she be offended. Nothing is so common as for old
people with liberal hearts to give away the money which they must soon
leave behind them. A more generous creature than my old aunt doesn't
live."

"Very generous; but I am afraid we cannot accept it."

"After all, it is only an empty honour. I would not ask it for myself
because I knew how you might be situated. But I really think you might
gratify the old lady. Twenty thousand pounds is an important sum, and
would be so useful just at present!"

This was true, but the father at the moment declined. The Dean,
however, who knew his man, determined that the money should not be
lost, and communicated with Mr. Knox. Mr. Knox came down to Manor Cross
and held a long consultation at which both the Dean and Lady Sarah were
present. "Let it be granted," said the Dean, "that it is a foolish
request; but are you justified in refusing twenty thousand pounds
offered to Popenjoy?"

"Certainly," said Lady Sarah, "if the twenty thousand pounds is a
bribe."

"But it is no bribe, Lady Sarah," said Mr. Knox. "It is not
unreasonable that Miss Tallowax should give her money to her
great-nephew, nor is it unreasonable that she should ask for this
honour, seeing that she is the child's great-aunt." There was a strong
opposition to Miss Tallowax's liberal offer,--but in the end it was
accepted. The twenty thousand pounds was important, and, after all, the
godmother could do no lasting injury to the child. Then it was
discovered that the offer was clogged with a further stipulation. The
boy must be christened Tallowax! To this father and mother and aunts
all objected, swearing that they would not subject their young Popenjoy
to so great an injury,--till it was ascertained that the old lady did
not insist on Tallowax as a first name, or even as a second. It would
suffice that Tallowax should be inserted among others. It was at last
decided that the boy should be christened Frederic Augustus Tallowax.
Thus he became Frederic Augustus Tallowax Germain,--commonly to be
called, by the Queen's courtesy, Lord Popenjoy. The christening itself
was not very august, as neither the Royal Duke nor his fellow att