Page 495 (1/1)

Lord Nidderdale saw his father in the lobby of the House of Lords that afternoon and told hireat doubt since the day of the dinner party He are of the ruin that would be incurred by a s which had been said of Melmotte should be proved to be true But he knew also that if his son should now recede, there ether;--and he did not believe the rumours He was fully detere was celebrated; but if his son were to secede now, of course noHe was prepared to recoer 'Old Cure tells me he doesn't believe a word of it,' said the father Cure was the family lawyer of the Marquises of Auld Reekie

'There's soestaffe's money, sir,' said the son

'What's that to us if he has our money ready? I suppose it isn't always easy even for a ether I know I've never found it easy to get a thousand If he has borrowed a trifle froirl's uns There's no harm done till the parson has said the word'

'You couldn't let ested the son

'No, I couldn't,' replied the father with a very determined aspect

'I'm awfully hard up'

'So am I' Then the oldthere ten ot quickly through his legislative duties and went to the Beargarden There he found Grasslough and Miles Grendall dining together, and seated himself at the next table They were full of news 'You've heard it, I suppose,' said Miles in an ahisper

'Heard what?'

'I believe he doesn't know!' said Lord Grasslough 'By Jove, Nidderdale, you're in a mess like some others'

'What's up now?'

'Only fancy that they shouldn't have knon at the House! Vossner has bolted!'

'Bolted!' exclaioing to eat his soup

'Bolted,' repeated Grasslough Lord Nidderdale looked round the room and beca upon the features of all the dining e! He has sold all our acceptances to a fellow in Great Marlbro' that's called "Flatfleece"'