duties in this office you must know that they ought to be attended to."

"What do you want me to do?"

"You know how busy we are.

Set to work and help us. I

must make up my ledger, and I want your statement to enable me to do it."

"I can't stop now.

I have business of my own to attend to.

Are there any letters for me?"

"No. Come, Louis; hang up your hat and sit down at your desk. It won't do to go on in this way."

"Who says so?"

"Beverley says so, and I say so. Beverley will not put up with it. He told me to tell you so this morning. He is more vexed about it than you think."

'I can't help it. I don't much care if he is vexed."

"Louis!

"Well?"

"You are forgetful: I don't like to say ungrateful. Think what Mr. Beverley has done for you and for me.

much we both owe him."

Consider how

"I don't see it. He would not have taken us into his office if it had not suited him to do so. Beverley consults his own interests, and I must consult mine."

"You are not consulting your own interests when you neglect his. Mr. Beverley will make you a partner by-and-by if you are careful and mind what you are about."

"I am not sure that his partnership will be worth having." "It will be my fault and yours if it is not. You know what an excellent trade we are doing now. But why do you talk thus? What else have you to look to or depend upon ?"

"You shall know some day. Meantime let me alone. I shall tell Beverley, if he says anything to me, that I will cut the concern. I can't be worried in this way."

"You would be very foolish to throw up your engagement here. You cannot mean that, I am sure."

"I do mean it. You will say I am right, too, when you know all. It is different with you. You are going to marry Beverley's daughter, and will have all his money. Your fortune is made already. I must look out for myself."

Victor Darville looked annoyed.

"Don't talk in that way," he said. "Do you think I care for the money?"

"Of course you do. I should, at all events. It is all gammon to pretend you don't."

"I don't pretend anything of the kind; but I have never thought of putting the two things side by side as you suggest. No man of honour and good feeling would do that. a wife-a wife and money. Pshaw!"

Money and

It is a practical, common-sense thing, all the same. The more your wife has the better you will like her, or ought to.' "Hold your tongue, Louis."

"Just consider. If it were not for Joan-Miss Beverley I mean-I beg your pardon-you would very likely not be here at this moment; you would not be a partner elect in this house. She is an heiress. Everything she inherits will be yours."

"You know nothing about it."

"Well, if you marry her, I mean, of course. Perhaps you have not made up your mind on that point yet."

"Be silent, I insist. You have no right to drag Miss Beverley's name in in this way. I will not allow it."

"I was going to say," Louis continued, in a teasing, bantering manner, "that if you don't mean to marry the lady yourself she will be a catch for some one else. Just give me a hint, you know, as soon as you have decided; chance."

I might like to try my

Victor strode across the room and stood before his brother with flashing eyes, and indignation glowing in every feature. "You villain!" he cried. "Do you dare speak so to me? Do you not know that if I am debarred from marrying that girl you alone will be the cause of my unhappiness? You are in difficulties; you are a defaulter; you are bringing dishonour upon yourself and upon me. This very day I have discovered that large sums have been paid into your hands, and you have not accounted for them. You must give in your statement at once."

"I'll do it in a few days," said Louis, when he had recovered himself, having been rather taken aback.

"To-day. Before you leave this room."

"Nonsense. I shall have a lot of money to receive next week. That will be soon enough."

"It will not. Sit down at once and make up your account." Louis was astonished at his brother's tone of decision and authority, and sat down as he was bid, but with his hands in his pockets and a scowl upon his face.

After a short silence Victor began to speak to him more gently. He remonstrated with him, expressed his desire to help him out of his difficulties, and begged him to make no further delay in rendering an account and declaring how far he was prepared to meet it. The younger brother laid aside his truculent and "don't-carish" manner, fixed his eyes upon the floor, and said at length,

"How can you help me if the money is gone?"

"How much is it?"

It was an important, a momentous question, and Victor waited for an answer with a painful anxiety, which sent the blood away from his face and almost impeded his breathing. "About how much?" he repeated.

"Never mind. I shall be able to replace it in a week or two."