help _my_
distrust, than _you_ can conquer _your_ credulity, which is a happier
philosophy, after all."

"Then come, read that letter, Grounsell," said Onslow, smiling
pleasantly. "Put your prejudices aside for once, and be just, if not
generous."

Grounsell took the note, and walked to the window to read it. The
note was just what he expected,--a prettily turned inquiry after
her husband's health, interwoven with various little pleasantries of
travelling, incidents of the road, and so forth. The invitation was a
mere suggestion, and Grounsell was half angry at how little there was to
find fault with; for, even to the "Very sincerely yours, Hester Onslow,"
all was as commonplace as need be. Accidentally turning over the page,
however, he found a small slip of silver paper,--a bank check for five
hundred pounds, only wanting Onslow's signature. Grounsell crushed it
convulsively in his palm, and handed the note back to Onslow, without a
word.

"Well, are you convinced?--are you satisfied now?" asked Onslow,
triumphantly.

"I am perfectly so!" said Grounsell, with a deep sigh. "You must write,
and tell her that business requires your immediate presence in England,
and that George's condition will necessitate a return by sea. Caution
her that the Daltons should be consulted about this marriage, which, so
far as I know, they have not been; and I would advise, also, seeing that
there may be some interval before you can write again, that you should
send her a check,--say for five hundred pounds."

"So you _can_ be equitable,-Grounsell," cried the other, joyously.

"And here is a letter from Lord Norwood," said Grounsell, not heeding
the remark, and breaking the seal as he spoke. "Laconic, certainly.
'Let me have the enclosed by this evening.--N.' The enclosed are
five acceptances for two hundred each; the 'value received' being his
Lordship's services in upholding your son's honor. Now here, at least,
Onslow, I 'll have my own way." And, with these words, he seated himself
at a table and wrote:----

My Lord,--Living in a land where assassination is cheap, and
even men of small fortune can keep a Bravo, I beg to return
your Lordship's bills, without submitting them to my friend
for endorsement, your price being considerably above the
tariff of the country, and more calculated to your own
exigencies than the occasion which it was meant to
remunerate. I am, yours,

Paul Groun