o know. You see things with an
acute and piercing clearness which I cannot attain to. You have no mind
for the sort of humble things which give pleasure to a man simple as
myself; and, lastly, I don't like to say it, but I must, your means are
so much more ample than mine, that to associate with you I must live in
a style totally above my pretensions. All these are confessions more
or less painful to make, but now that I have made them, let me have the
result, and say, good-bye--good-bye."

There was an emotion in the last words that more than compensated for
what preceded them. It was the genuine sorrow that loneliness ever
impresses on certain natures; but Calvert read the sentiment as a
tribute to himself, and hastily said, "No, no, you are all wrong.
The very disparities you complain of are the bonds between us. The
differences in our temperament are the resources by which the sphere of
our observation will be widened--my scepticism will be the corrector of
your hopefulness--and, as to means, take my word for it, nobody can
be harder up than I am, and if you'll only keep the bag, and limit the
outgoings, I'll submit to any shortcomings when you tell me they are
savings."

"Are you serious--downright in earnest in all this?" asked Loyd.

"So serious, that I propose our bargain should begin from this hour.
We shall each of us place ten Napoleons in that bag of yours. You shall
administer all outlay, and I bind myself to follow implicitly all your
behests, as though I were a ward and you my guardian."

"I'm not very confident about the success of the scheme. I see many
difficulties already, and there may be others that I cannot foresee;
still, I am willing to give it a trial."

"At last I realise one of my fondest anticipations which was to travel
without the daily recurring miseries of money reckoning."

"Don't take those cigars, they are supplied by the waiter, and cost two
groschen each, and they sell for three groschen a dozen in the Platz;"
and, so saying, Loyd removed the plate from before him in a quiet
business-like way, that promised well for the spirit is which his trust
would be exercised.

Calvert laughed as he laid down the cigar, but his obedience ratified
the pact between them.

"When do we go from this?" asked he, in a quiet and half-submissive
tone.

"Oh, come, this is too much!" said Loyd. "I undertook to be purser, but
not pilot."

"Well, but I insist upon your assuming all the cares of