TALES & SKETCHES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 741, 14 May 1886, Page 7

TALES & SKETCHES.

[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.] THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS- — ■» BY FREDERICK BOYLE. Author of ‘On the Bonder Land,’ ‘ A Good Hater,’ ‘ Camp Notes,’ fee. [The Right of Translation is Reserved.] CHAP PER 111. A Confidence. At dinner Mr Esking was equally bland. He complimented his neice upon her prettiness. which indeed was well worth notice, and listened kindly to her foolish observations. Kate triumphed. ‘ I felt sure we should get on nicely, uncle, because I take so much interest in all these charming things around. There is a bucklebrooch in your study which is a perfect love.’ ‘ Then no young lady could wear it more becomingly than you, my dear,’ he replied, with a bow. « Oh, uncle ! I am overpowered ! ’ with a malicious glance at Hilda. * It's most extraordinary how anyone could fail to see that you’re as generous as clever, and above suspecting mean motives. I shall treasure that brooch more than anything I possess, but not for it’s value—though that’s considerable, I suppose ?’ ‘ It has value enough to be worthy yonr acceptance,’ Mr Esking said. Hilda was astonished. Her father had no tempers and few moods, in her experience at least. She knew them all, and it had been her dread, since the visitors arrived, that he would be disgusted with them in ten minutes, and too probably give them the hint to leave in twenty four hours. Mr Esking was quite capable of such an act, in his cold, courteous, and resolute way. Instead,! he talked cordially with Hubert, and paid deference to Kate ! This incomprehensible humor was sustained until the ladies rose, and then Mr Esking sent for a particular vintage, only produced when great personages dined. Hilda began to think it possible that he meant to *do something ’ for her cousins. And the fancy pleased her. When uncle and nephew were left alone, Hubert found himself getting on so well that he ventured —the wine invigorating him—to make allusions which he had only contemplated as a vague possibility in a future dim and remote. He breathed the word * embarassments.’ Some speculations of a serious and substantial class, had turned out unluckily, and he could not speak of them to his mother. Mr Esking showed a warm interest, and was not too inquisitive. These little troubles, said he, will occur when amateurs compete with men of business. The latter have bought their knowledge dear, and they sell it at a price enhanced. As a rule without exception, practically, a man neither gives nor lends for nothing. He seeks a profit of some kind. ‘ I myself,’ Mr Esking continued, with a genial smile, ‘ have had transactions which puzzled my acquaintance. They asked where my advantage lay, and not perceiving it they gave me credit for disinterested charity. But I may confess to you, Hubert, as a lesson in life, that I never made a loan or a gift of any importance, unless I saw my way. If you were a judge I could show you a variety of fine things I secured by means which to the outside ring seemed purely philanthropic.’ Then he told a story or two. This tone chilled Hubert’s confidence sadly. He began to think his mother might be not wrong, after all, in her view of Mr Esking’s character. It was a relief when he rang for coffee and cigars. Armstrong brought them, announcing that Simmons was below, ' very rough, ’ demanding to see the master.

‘ Certainly ! Show him up ! He has not brought both dogs, eh, Hubert ?’ The veteran began to roar his grievances, before entering the room. ‘ I want compention,’ he cried, ‘ and I’ll oh, there’s the young man as refused his address when he was a trespassing on my master’s property, and beating my dogs ! You can hear what he’s got to say for himself ! I ask £SO, Mr Esking, and the law will give it me.’

‘ A moment, Mr Simmons. You talk of your master. He is dead.’ *lshe ? You think your time’s come, eh ? I have much pleasure in informing you, sir, that my master is alive, and perhaps you’ll soon find him kicking.’

Hubert exclaimed, ‘ He isn’t near enough to protect you, my man, unless you keep a civil tongue in your head.’ «This is your master, Mister What’s yourName,’ cried Simmons, producing an old pistol. ‘ It’ll protect my tongue, civil or nol Now, Mr Esking, sir ! ’ ‘Be quiet, Hubert. Sit down, my good man, and take a glass of wine, and don’t talk nonsense. Am Ito understand that yon have a new master ? ’ * I won’t sit down, but I’ll drink Mr Eldred Thorburn’s health in a glass of thio 'ere,’ pouring himself a bumper of whisky. « Here's long life to him and confusion to his enemies.’ * I join you in that sentiment, if there is such a person. You are well assured of it ?’ ‘ Assured ? There’s his handwriting to speak for him. You may read the letter if you like.’ Mr Esking took it and examined the post marks —* Cape Colony ’ and 1 Burnside ’ the nearest office in England. * You received this to day ?’ * Yes, I did, if it makes any difference to you—at one o’clock this afternoon, or thereabouts, as I went to Rowley to consult my lawyer. He told me of poor Captain Thorburn’s death. And he says £SO isn’t enough compensation for my dogs—so I warn you ! ’ Mr Esking made no reply, bnt opened the letter. Hubert was dull and slow, but he could mark a quiver of still exc’tement. * Filljiesfontein, near Tauns. ‘ Mr Simmons,

‘ Captain Thorburn writes to his brother, my uncle David, that he is at the point of death. lam the heir at-law of Captain Thorburn, and I come into all his property, by a will he has sent to my uncle David. I am the son of his elder brother Ralph. I mean to come over as soon as I can fix up my business here.

‘ You will keep the place for me as you have done for my uncle. I authorise you to draw for any sum up to £IOO (one hundred pounds) which may be necessary, through any agent who will advance the sum.’ LMr Esking smiled a little here.] ‘ There is a man in the neighborhood who has lent money to my uncle, Captain Thorburn, upon the security of tbe farm [Tarm crossed out and * property ’ substituted], I am to tell you that the loan has been paid off by my uncle David, rending at Kimberley in these parts. You will produce this letter as evidence, if needful, and you will not allow that man to take possession, if Captain Thorburn dies before I get home —which the Almighty forbid ! ‘ That is all. 1 expect to get away in six months or thereabouts. > ‘I am, your master, * Eldred Yarl Thorburn.’ Hubert sat grinning, but aware instinctively, that this was a grave matter somehow. Mr Esking folded the letter carefully and returned it. ■ I am glad to hear that the ancient line is not extinct. Thorburn of Thorburns, Hubert, is a standing memorial of English history Now, Simmons, about the compensation due to you. My nephew had no right to tresspass on the property in your charge, and still less to kill your dogs. Bnt you will remember that they attacked him, and, as I learn, had put my daughter into jeopardy, before he struck them. It is no case for exaggerated damages. £SO is monstrous. I will pay you £ls, or, if you like, I will refer the matter to arbitration of the magistrates in quarter sessions, or any individual among them, if you prefer that.’ ‘ I won’t have no arbitration ! It’s £SO I ask, and £SO 111 have, one way or other.’ ‘ Well,’ said Mr Esking, after a moment's thought, ‘ I am anxious to do what is right, and to behave kindly towards a neighbour. But you ask too much. lam a tradesman and I know the worth of money. Say £25 but remember that is my last word ! ’ * I say £SO, and that’s my last word ! Then -’

‘ Very well. I expect a jury will give you nothing, especially when you refuse a liberal offer. ‘ Indeed,’ he added, speaking to himself, ‘ I can’t understand why I offered it. Good evening, Simmons.’ * Good evening, as you’re so polite ; and pleasant dreams.’ ‘ I suppose you’re the man in the neighborhood who lent Captain Thorburn money ?' asked Hubert, after a pause. ‘ His nephew isn’t grateful.’ *We don’t expect gratitude in business. I wanted his house. I was ready to pay for it. This young man prefers to keep it, and repays my loan. Very well.’ * I understood you had settled an annuity upon old Thorburn ?’ Mr Esking showed neither surprise nor annoyance. ‘ I wished to do so, but he would not consent. Shuttleton gossips generally get hold of a stick by the wrong end. Captain Thorburn desired a mortgage, and I submitted, thinking it would come to the same end.’

‘ And David Thorburn has paid it off ?’

* Yes.’ Hubert didn’t like to go further. * That was an odd communication, wasn’t it?’

‘ The heir's ? Yet, it’s odd. This young fellow has a character, I judge. There’s simplicity in his expressions, but vigor enough in his meaning.’ ‘ How many repititions of “ Uncle” and “ Captain Thorburn ” was there ?’ ‘ A good number, certainly. This is a trick I should expect from a young man of his up-bringing.’ ‘ Was he educated at the Cape?’ ‘ Ralph Thorburn married a Boer’s daughter, and his son was born there. Eldred is more than half Dutch, I should fancy. Continual allusion to relations is characteristic of primitive society, in the pastoral phase especially. Kinship, my dear Hubert, is almost the only bond where population is scanty, and where men stand in daily peril from a slave or servile class. It is cherished accordingly. The early history of our own people is not to be understood in its proper sense if the great influence of the blood-tie be not kept before the mind.’ * Bnt in Cape Colony men do not stand in daily peril, do they ?’

* The time when they did is not far back, and habit survives circumstances. Besides, Eldred Thorburn writes from Filljiesfontein, near Tauns. I am not so devoted to antiquity that I neglect to read the daily papers. Tauns has been often mentioned of late. I don't know where it lies, but the name is associated with the filibustering expedition of the Transvaal.’ ‘ I wonder whether Arthur Mendel will come across him ?’ said Hubert.

‘ Is young Mendel is South Africa ?’ ‘ Yes. He got leave from his father on the pretext of looking up the position of—what d’ye call them ?—the Kaffirs, you know. But I fancy Arthur was bored to death with the Brethren and the prayer meetings.’ ‘Very likely. He’s a young man who doesn’t know his own mind. Did he mean to visit the fiilibusters ? Then I suppose he may meet Thorburn, who seems to be one of them, pending his transformation into an old English gentleman.’ * What a ruffian you will have for a neighbour 1’

*lt does not follow, perhaps. His morality is Boer, I conclude, and the most respectable Dutch families sympathise with the filibusters. Prima facie, indeed, I should expect them to do so.’ ‘ Well, the heir runs a good chance of being killed, anyhow !’ * I have thought of that,’ Mr Esking calmly answered, as he rose. ‘ Now, Hubert, I pass my evenings in tbe Charter Room. Make my compliments to your wife, and acquaint her with my habit. If you would like to bear me company, I shall be pleased.’ Kate was in the drawing-room examining the thousand and one things there, and questioning her cousin. She graciously approved Hubert’s proposal of keeping their host company. Hilda smiled consent. Mr Esking was smoking a long ‘ churchwarden,’ and sipping a mild glass of whisky, whilst collating two volumes in crabbed manuscript, more mysterious even than Greek to Hubert. He put them aside, pointing to an old arm-chair, and made preparations for a chat ‘ You are surprised to see me using this old-fashioned paraphernalia,’ motioning with his churchwarden. *ln the first place, lam fond of ancestral habits; in the second, which is a more serious consideration, I have found that our forefathers were wise in their choice of a pipe as in other things. I have tried nearly every form of smoking, and for my purpose none compares with the long clay. I rest it on my arm, you see, when Trading or writing ; I hold it when talking or moving about. The smoke of a cigar gets into my eyes, and keeps one’s hand busy. A narguilleh I must lay aside if I wish to cross the room. There is nothing like the churchwarden for a studious man.’

* I will smoke nothing else henceforward !’ Hubert cried obsequiously. ‘ Are you going to turn studious ? Bnt perhaps I wrong you. Are you studious, I should say ?’ ‘ Well, I’ve had no encouragement, uncle. If I stayed with you long I think I should take an interest in your occupations. What are those old books ?’

‘ This,’ said Mr Esking, with a sly smile, ‘is a very early transcript of Archbishop Alfric’s vocabularium, and this other is sent to me by a friend at Brussels, who believes it to be that copy of the same work which was in possession of Rubens the painter, missing ever since his death.’

Hubert thought he might venture, * And is it ?’

* I incline to fancy that it is still another edition. You remember, of course, that the Rubens copy was transcribed by Junius, whose work is preserved at the Bodleian Library. My friend should have sent this to Oxford. I rather think it will be found to differ considerably from the Junius edition, as it does from my own, which, I ch-rish a fond fancy, is the original. If so, the Brussels copy has great value. Perhaps you would like to hear, as an introduction to your studies, upon what ground I base my pleasing confidence that this manuscript of mine is Archbishop Alfric’s original composition ?’

* I should like it very much indeed, uncle,’ said Hubert, in wild dismay. Mr Esking gravely spread out the volumes, opened his mouth with a solemn air, and laughed silently. ‘ No, my dear boy, I will not take advantage of your foolish remark. Young heroes are not the sort of men who care for old English vocabularies. We will talk of matters in which you are really interested. Choose your subject.’ ‘Well,’ said Hubert, vastly relieved, ‘I should like to hear something of Thorburns. What a funny place it is !’ * Some parts are the oldest in England, I think, of such buildings as could properly be called a house still occupied. The Thorburns had held it from time immemorial, as people said, when De Warrenne, Earl of Surrey and Regent of Scotland, took a fancy to the site. Edward Thorburn refused a good price, and a liberal exchange, so the Earl accused him of treason ; he fled into Scotland, and was killed at the battle of Falkirk.’

‘ Was that the man who is said to have buried all his valuables ?’

Hubert remembered too late Hilda’s caution, and awaited the reply in alarm. Mr Esking was quite composed. * Yes, Edward Thorburn. De Warrenne pulled down his house, and built a hunting lodge. The greater part of the back premises, which you could not see, are his construction ; the main block is of Henry the Fourth’s time, mostly, and that fine banquetting hall, which Ralph and David Thorburn undermined some forty years ago, was Elizabethan. The family always kept a portion of their estate, and they recovered the house itself at De Warrenne’s death.’ * You don’t mind me talking of the Treasure, uncle ?’ ‘ Not at ali—why should I ?' * I don’t know, indeed. Are you sure it has never been discovered in all these centuries ?’

‘ Quite sure. The Thorburns of every ganeration have been looking for it.’ • The old fellow died without telling his secret.’

‘ His eldest son knew perhaps, but he was killed with his father.’

‘ But is it impossible that some thief —or

the workmen, perhaps, employed in all these alterations, came across it?’.

. ‘As nearly impossible as a thing can be. They were closely watched, no doubt, and the ground shows no trace of disturbance.’

‘ Bless me, uncle ! You talk as if you knew where it lies V- * Yes, I know.’ Hubert was dumbfounded. After staring an instant he blurted out, * And where is it ?’

Mr Esking laughed, rose, crossed the room, and unlocked one of the ancient chests. He took from it a sheet of vellum, with heavy seals attached. * This is a deed of gift to the Chantry of Burnside, bestowing certain lands on condition that a daily mass be served for ever on behalf of this same Edward Thorburn, etc. It is dated just before Warrenne dispossessed him. At the time of the Reformation, John Thorburn expelled the priests, pulled down the Chantry, resumed his ancestor’s gifts, and deposited this with other deeds in his Muniment Room. Captain Thorburn gave it to me or sold it, with the vocabulary and many other things.’ Hubert took the parchment, examined it in every point of view, and said, bewildered: * But what has this to do with the treasure, uncle ?’ You see now the value of ray pursuits. Thorburns innumerable have looked at this manuscript probably, but since none of them took pains to learn old English—or anything else that is useful—they may have said like you, “ What’s the use of this musty thing ?” I will show you, Hubert.’ A tap at the door interrupted them. Mr Esking took the scroll and put it in his pocket, before saving ‘Come in!’ It was Hilda and Kate.

‘You are not conspiring, uncle ?’Jeried the latter. ‘ I give you warning that my husband tells me all his secrets, like a good boy, and if it’s anything treasonable you are concocting, I am a loyal subject. I -hall denounce you remorselessly unless my silence is purchased at an enormous price.’ * Name your own terms, my dear. I throw myself upon your mercy.’ * Well, for the present, seeing you have given me that charming brooch, I will not be bard. It’s only a horse I want—oh, not to buy, but just to hire whilst we stay here. lam longing to ride with Hilda.’ •< That is granted, if I can find one. Anything more ? ‘ Oh, you goo 1 uncle ! It mast be very pretty remember. . ‘ And very quiet, please,' Hubert interrupted. ‘ Don’t give, people the idea that I can’t ride, you silly fellow’ ! Bnt I should like him quiet, of course. Would it be asking too much if I begged a mount for my husband also V ‘Not at all. I think I know whereto look.’ Hilda meantime had sat dowm, with the a'r of one who is used to bid good-night in a leisurely way, and to talk things over before going to bed. Hubert was on thorns. Before remarking that action of his host’s which seemed to give such importance to the charter, it had dimly and vaguely suggested itself to his mind that Mr Esking might have some motive in granting him so much confidence. When he oh-erved the ciu'ious pocketing of the scroll I.is suspicion was confirmed, and he was eager to pursue the interrupted talk. * Any horse will do for me, so long as it can go, uncle,’ he cried. ‘ Your conditions are granted, dear !’ Kate looked at him with astonishment. The tone of impatience was not to be misunderstood, and under different circumstances she would have demanded an explanation there and then. Hilda said : ‘ Mr Genest has some young horses, papa, which he means to send to Bottomley Fair. Perhaps he would let us have two meanwhile,’

‘I will write him a note in the morning. What do you propose to do with these young people, my dear ?’ ‘I have no notion,’ she replied, calmly. ‘ Do you fish, Hubert ?' ‘I don t care much about it, but with a horse I can always amuse myself. Don’t trouble about me.’ ‘ And I,’ said Kate, ‘ propose to rummage all your collections, uncle, and improve my mind awfully. There's occupation for a month in any room oc the house.’ Hilda looked up anxiously, but Mr Esking made no protest. He answered, smiling : * I will put together a special bunch of keys for you. Your husband also has developed a sudden taste for archaeology, and I shall be proud to direct your studies.’ This was all so extraordinary that Uilcla felt quite anxious to get away, an 1 rhink it over. But Kate, garrulous m: hu* such encouragement, began a long st-uy or her childhood ; how she found a Queen Anne’s farthing; how she loved, and how she lost it; proof of an essential devotion to things antique, Mr Esking listened patiently, and showed interest at the proper times, Hubert thought they would never go, but Hilda befriended him. At the first opportunity she kissed her father and drew Kate from the room.

As soon as the door was closed, he resumed :

‘You were going to show me how that charter is connected with the hidden treasure ?’

Mr Esking drew it forth, and pointed to a few lines upon the back. The ink was much faded, the writing uneven, shaky, and so entangled with flourishes that an unskilled person could not make out a letter—a curious contrast to the neat and formal penmanship of the charter ; though that was no less unintelligible to Hubert. * It looks,’ said he, ‘ as if somebody had dipped a rabble of string in ink, and pressed it on the vellum.’ ‘ A very good comparison. In itself this writing has value, for we possess very few examples of what may be called familiar correspondence of that date. I imagine that Edward Thorburn or his son wrote it—the latter probably. How it happened that they chose this document to make a note upon we cannot possibly tell. Perhaps the priest was in their confidence —we know that he died just about this time. If Thorburn trusted him, the back of a charter, most jealously

preserved, no doubt, was a safe tiling to write upon. Or, they may have intended to place their treasure under protection, as it were, of their former good deeds. "Whatever the motive, the result answered their purpose. No one has read this memorandum for a matter of five hundred years.’ • Hubert did not care to discuss mysteries ; he wanted to get at facts. ‘And what does it say, uncle V . ' I never had so much trouble in deciphering an inscription. You see, we are accustomed to the contractions and flourishes of clerkly penmanship. They are conventional, and as soon as one has learned the rules it is easy to make out individual peculiarities. But this, practically, was an hieroglyphic.’ * I should think so. There’s not a letter in it so far as I can see.’ 1 And I was so much puzzled at first that it took me hours to decide in what language it was composed. Had there been a signature I should have guessed, for an old yeoman family like the Thorburns would certainly use English in writing a note. But there is none, and I had, of course, no suspicion of its purpose. To read that short memorandum, Hubert, was the hardest mental labor I ever, went through. ' And what dees it come to ?’. ‘You are very anxious to learn,’replied Air Esking, with a queer smile. ‘ Listen !’ He read the words. «If possible, lam 1e33 wise than before, said Hubert, staring. ‘Yet it is English. I give the ipsissima verba to show my frankness. If you want a translation as well, I must be more dis creet. Take it thus : ‘ “ Under protection of Our Lady, of Holy St. Cuthbert, St. Dunstan, and St. Thomas of Canterbury, and all the Glorious Company of Saints and Martyrs, I have this day hidden my goods under the house built by my forefathers, from which the oppressor has driven me. I pray God to curse him and his for ever !

“ ‘ My son and I dug the ground, and relaid the pavement. By morning it was finished. In the middle of the floor dig down. A blessing on him who finds it if he spring from my loins; every devil who abides in hell, and every spirit that lurks among the -world of men, torment him who takes my wealth unjustly.” ’ ‘That’s good talk,’ said Hubert, admiring the vigor of the sentiment. ‘ But I don t see how it tells you very much more than all the Thorburns seem to have known.’ _ ‘ 1 said that my translation was discreet. I have left out four words. It is curious, indeed,’ he added thoughtfully, ‘how the key of the secret was, so to speak, handed down by tradition. Hig Thorburn, at least, knew where to look if only he could find the place.’ ‘ That’s a contradiction, isn't it ?’

* Not at all. If I tell you there’s an apple on the greenest tree in my orchard, you know where to look ; but you have still to find the greenest tree. Hig was the only clever man the family ever produced. He knew that the treasure lay under the house built by Edward’s forefathers —that is, the the oldest part, if any trace of it still remains.’ ‘I understand. Then, uncle, you meant to dig in a place you know as soon a 3 you pot possession of Thorburns ? What a disappointment !’ Mr Esking turned away to lock up the charter. Coming back, he said abruptly : ‘ I ask only a few hours, a stout you ng fellow like you to help, and it’s mine still.’ , , 4 Good heavens ! But—but, uncle, would not that be robbery ?’ ‘ No ! These things, of inestimable value to science, have lain in the centuries. They will lie there for centuries more, or if found by accident today will probably be dispersed melted, wasted ! I have discovered where they are, by my own labor, skill and patience! I bought them with four thousand pounds and more of money, hardly earned. They are mine, and I will have them !’ ‘ But the curse, uncle ?’ urged Hubert, f ‘ The curse ! It applies to robbers, and I am none ! I will pay Eldred Thorburn the full value, if it can be reckoned. He shall have every farthing in money—possession is enough for me.’ i Hubert saw bis way to change an embarrassing conversation. ‘ I don’t understand these matters, but such curious old things as you expect to find fetch an enormous price, don’t they ?’ . , , , .. , ‘ Well, I could raise a hundred thousand pounds with the contents of this room alone, and I would, for ihe purpose of securing them !’ , , TTr , ‘A hundred thousand pounds! Why, what do you think old Thorburn buried ?’ ‘ How should I know ? It was all he treasured most, plate and jewellery of course, but no one can guess what besides. If it prove to be uninteresting in the archeological point of view, I shall pay so much the less, or Edward Thorburn will be welcome to it. But that is unlikely. How many examples of plate can be found through the length and breadth of England dating from the° fourteenth century ! I only think of four— the Coronation Spoon, the Lynn Gup, the salt-cellar, and the enammelled covert at All Souls’ College. It gives a thrill only to imagine that there may be one piece surviving within a half a-mile of us. But there may be a score—two score—and of date still earlier ! I will have them, Hubert, and you shall help me. Ask what conditions you will. . The word was out ! For some minutes past he had been expecting to hear it sooner or later ; but the sudden proposition startled him. And Hubert had made up his mind to refuse, not consciously, upon principle or argument, but by instinct. His courage was not of the sort which dares an adventure like this. If it had been a question of braving all the Thorburn clan in arms, he would not have hesitated, but law, the irresistible moral law of constables, solicitors, barristers, ending with the judge who passes sentence, Hubert did not even think of defying. He had temptation. Those embarrassments called speculations were gambling debts in some variety. While resolved not .to bear part in this mad scheme, he was anxious not to quarrel with a relative who kept a hundred thousand pounds lying idle in odds and ends, and to get present relief, if possible. ‘Will you allow me to think it over, uncle? said he, ‘ and if you like we will change the

subject. I wish to consult you about my own affairs.’ . ~ ‘ My dear hoy,’ replied Mr Esking blandly, ‘ it is too late for discussing those topics tonight. I have given you my confidence, and we can speak with a frankness that would have been unfitting, previously; I have just returned from .Shuttleton, where I took pains to learn so much as is publicly rumored about your affairs. They are not supposed to be in that condition which your well-wishers could desire. No, don’t interrupt, because it is late, and you have a fortnight before you to correct any misapprehension on my part. I shall be pleased to help you, both now and in the future, beyond what you would ask. But it must be on my own terms, and what they are you know—some hours of manual labor which a navvy would think well paid at a shilling the hour.’ ‘ Not if he saw a chance of penal servitude at the end of his night's work !’ Hubert answered incautious in his disappointment. ‘ And therefore I didn't offer you a shilling an hour, nor a thousand pounds an hour. Consider the proposal. I need .not tell you to keep it a secret from your wife. Though you should refuse in the end, I shall still think of you with a certaiu kindness if you hold your tongue \ —the refusal, X mean, will pass out of my recollection., and we shall resume our former relations. But if you chatter, Hubert, expect nothing but ill-will from me !’ , , The tone was significant. Hubert vowed not only to his uncle but to himself also, that Kate should not hear a whisper of their conversation.

(To be continued)