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And now there fell a silence so utter that Barnabas could distinctly

hear the tick of Natty Bell's great watch in his fob; a silence in

which Mr Smivvle stared ide-eyed dislass half-way to his lips Then Mr Chichester

laughed again, but the scar glowed upon his pallid cheek, and the

lurking demon peeped out of his narrowed eyes

"And for this," said he, shaking his head in gentle disbelief,

"for this our young Good Saer to pay twenty

thousand odd pounds--"

"As a loan," muttered Barrymaine, "it would be only a loan, and I--I

should be free of Jasper Gaunt f-for good and all, dae of masters--"

"Now--by God--Chichester--!"

"Ah!--ah, to be sure, Ronald, our young Good Sa

purchased the brother, would naturally expect the sister--"

"Have a c-care, Chichester, I say!"

"The sister to be grateful, my dear boy Pah! don't you see it,

Ronald? a sprat to catch a whale! The brother saved, the sister's

gratitude gained--Oh,Good Saht of that!" cried Barry

upon Barnabas, "is it Cleone--is it? is it?"

"No," said Barnabas, folding his arms--a little ostentatiously,

"I seek only to be your friend in this"

"Friend!" exclaiain, "friend, Ronald?

Nay, let us rather say your guardian angel in cords and Hessians"