amount in the Three
per Cents."

"And I am at liberty to draw at once for whatever amount I require?"

"Within that sum, certainly. Though, if you desire more, I 'm sure they
'll not refuse your order."

"Leave us for a moment, sir," said Cashel, in an accent whose trembling
eagerness bespoke the agitation he labored under. "I have something of
importance to tell this gentleman."

"If you will step this way, sir," said Don Rica, politely. "I have
ordered some refreshment in this room, and I believe you will find it
awaiting you."

Mr. Simms gladly accepted the offered hospitality, and retired. The door
was not well closed, when Don Rica Advanced with extended hands towards
Cashel, and said:

"With all my heart I give you joy; such good fortune as this may,
indeed, obliterate every little cloud that has passed between us, and
make us once more the friends we have ever been."

Cashel crossed his arms on his breast, and coldly replied, "I thank you.
But a few hours back, and one-half as much kindness would have made a
child of me in feeling. Now it serves only to arouse my indignation and
my Anger."

"Are you indeed so unjust, so ungenerous as this!" exclaimed Rica, in a
tone whose anguish seemed wrung from the very heart.

"Unjust,--ungenerous! how?" cried Cashel, passionately.

"Both, sir," said Rica, in a voice of almost commanding severity.
"Unjust to suppose that in thwarting your last resolve to leave a
service in which you have already won fame and honor, I was not your
best and truest friend; that in offering every opposition in my power to
such a hot-headed resolution, I was not consulting your best interests;
ungenerous to imagine that I could feel any other sentiment than delight
at your altered fortunes, I, who gave you all that was dearest and
nearest to me on earth, my child,--my Maritana."

Had it not been for the passionate emotion of the last few words,
Cashel's anger would have suggested a reply not less indignant than his
question; but the sight of the hard, the stern, the unflinching Pedro
Rica, as he now stood,--his face covered by his hands, while his strong
chest heaved and throbbed with convulsive energy,--this was more than
he felt prepared to look on. It was then only by a great effort he could
say, "You seem to forget, Senhor Rica, how differently you interpreted
this same contract but a few hours ago. You told me then--I think I hear
the words still ringing in my ears--that you ne