ved, unrevealing countenance.

EGERTON (dryly).--"I will consider. You may safely leave in my hands any
matter connected with your ambition and advancement. I have before told
you I hold it a duty to do all in my power for the kinsman of my late
wife, for one whose career I undertook to forward, for one whom honour
has compelled to share in my own political reverses."

Here Egerton rang the bell for his hat and gloves, and walking into the
hall, paused at the street door. There beckoning to Randal, he said,
slowly, "You seem intimate with Baron Levy; I caution you against
him,--a dangerous acquaintance, first to the purse, next to the honour."

RANDAL.--"I know it, sir; and am surprised myself at the acquaintance
that has grown up between us. Perhaps its cause is in his respect for
yourself."

EGERTON.--"Tut."

RANDAL.--"Whatever it be, he contrives to obtain a singular hold over
one's mind, even where, as in my case, he has no evident interest to
serve. How is this? It puzzles me!"

EGERTON.--"For his interest, it is most secured where he suffers it to
be least evident; for his hold over the mind, it is easily accounted
for. He ever appeals to two temptations, strong with all men,--Avarice
and Ambition. Good-day."

RANDAL.--"Are you going to Madame di Negra's? Shall I not accompany you?
Perhaps I may be able to back your own remonstrances."

EGERTON.--"No, I shall not require you."

RANDAL.--"I trust I shall hear the result of your interview? I feel so
much interested in it. Poor Frank!"

Audley nodded. "Of course, of course."

CHAPTER XIV.

On entering the drawing-room of Madame di Negra, the peculiar charm
which the severe Audley Egerton had been ever reputed to possess with
women would have sensibly struck one who had hitherto seen him chiefly
in his relations with men in the business-like affairs of life. It was
a charm in strong contrast to the ordinary manners of those who are
emphatically called "Ladies' men." No artificial smile, no conventional,
hollow blandness, no frivolous gossip, no varnish either of ungenial
gayety or affected grace. The charm was in a simplicity that unbent more
into kindness than it did with men. Audley's nature, whatever its
faults and defects, was essentially masculine; and it was the sense
of masculine power that gave to his voice a music when addressing the
gentler sex, and to his manner a sort of indulgent tenderness that
appeared equally void of insincerity an