Her father will probably give her as much more.
Harding told me yesterday that all the younger children are to have
share and share alike,--no distinction made between sons and daughters."

"So that she 'll have what a Frenchman would call 'un million de dot.'"

"Just about what we want, my Lord, to start our enterprise."

"Ah, yes. I suppose that would do; but we shall do this by a company,
Cutty. Have you said anything to Bramleigh yet on the subject?"

"Nothing further than what I told you yesterday. I gave him the papers
with the surveys and the specifications, and he said he 'd look over
them this morning, and that I might drop in upon, him to-night in the
library after ten. It is the time he likes best for a little quiet
chat."

"He seems a very cautious, I 'd almost say a timid man."

"The city men are all like that, my Lord. They 're always cold enough
in entering on a project, though they'll go rashly on after they've put
their money in it."

"What's the eldest son?"

"A fool,--just a fool. He urged his father to contest a county, to lay
a claim for a peerage. They lost the election and lost their money; but
Augustus Bramleigh persists in thinking that the party are still their
debtors."

"Very hard to make Ministers believe that," said Culduff, with a grin.
"A vote in the House is like a bird in the hand. The second fellow,
Temple, is a poor creature."

"Ain't he? Not that he thinks so."

"No; they never do," said Culduff, caressing his whiskers, and looking
pleasantly at himself in the glass. "They see one or two men of mark in
their career, and they fancy--Heaven knows why--that they must be like
them; that identity of pursuit implies equality of intellect; and so
these creatures spread out their little sails, and imagine they are
going to make a grand voyage."

"But Miss Bramleigh told me yesterday you had a high opinion of her
brother Temple."

"I believe I said so," said he, with a soft smile. "One says these sort
of things every day, irresponsibly, Cutty, irresponsibly, just as one
gives his autograph, but would think twice before signing his name on a
stamped paper."

Mr. Cutbill laughed at this sally, and seemed by the motion of his lips
as though he were repeating it to himself for future retail; but in what
spirit, it would not be safe perhaps to inquire.

Though Lord Culduff did not present himself at the family break
fast-table, and but rarely appeared at luncheon, pretexting tha