also where they are?'

'No farther,' said the black-haired gentleman, with perfect calmness,
'than that I believe them to be in London. It is only about a couple
of hours since I heard of the whole affair. I immediately sent for my
brother. It is a most distressing business altogether. Of course you
are chiefly concerned for your sister; but my son is in a far more
serious position.'

'Yes, I should think so!' exclaimed Mr. Tom. 'I should think he was!
But you don't know where they are?'

'No; I only know they are in London. I received a letter from my son
this afternoon, asking me to intercede for him with the Court of
Chancery; and it is from this letter that I learn how serious his
position is--more serious than he seems to imagine. He appears to
think that now the marriage has taken place, the Vice-Chancellor will
condone everything----'

'He won't: I will take good care that he shan't!' Mr. Tom said.

'My dear sir, I am sorry to say that my son is in a very awkward
situation, even although no personal vindictiveness be shown towards
him. Your sister is not of age, I believe?'

'Of course not. She's just turned eighteen.'

'Ah. Then you see, Jack had to declare that she was of age. And he
appears to have stated that he had resided three weeks in the parish,
whereat he only came up from Brighton yesterday morning. And, again,
marrying in the direct teeth of an order of the Court--I am afraid,
sir, that he is in a bad enough predicament without any personal
vengeance being shown him.'

This seemed to strike Mr. Tom.

'I don't hit a man when he's down. I will let the law take its course.
I shan't interfere.'

'Don't you think, sir,' said this man with the calm black eyes and the
quiet manner, 'that it might be wiser, in the interests of your sister,
if you were to help us to arrange some amicable settlement which we
could put before the Court? I believe the guardians of the young lady
were very much misinformed about my son's character and his intentions
with regard to her. I am certain that it was not her fortune that
attracted him, or that could have led him into the perilous position he
now occupies. Now, if we could go before the Vice-Chancellor, and say,
"The marriage is not so unsuitable, after all. The young man comes of
a highly respectable family. His relations (that is, my brother and
myself, sir) are willing to place a substantial sum at his disposal for
investment in a sound