I hope he will."

"You have no brothers nor sisters,--no relation, perhaps, after your
parents, nearer to you than your excellent friend Mr. Randal Leslie?"

"No; that is the reason he is so kind to me, otherwise I am the last
person to suit him. You have no idea how well-informed and clever he
is," added Frank, in a tone between admiration and awe.

"My dear Hazeldean, you will take my advice, will you not?"

"Certainly. You are too good."

"Let all your family, Mr. Leslie included, suppose you to be gone
abroad; but stay quietly in England, and within a day's journey of
Lansmere Park. I am obliged to go thither for the approaching election.
I may ask you to come over. I think I see a way to serve you; and if so,
you will soon hear from me. Now, Baron Levy's number?"

"That is the house with the cabriolet at the door. How such a fellow can
have such a horse!--'t is out of all keeping!"

"Not at all; horses are high-spirited, generous, unsuspicious animals.
They never know if it is a rogue who drives them. I have your promise,
then, and you will send me your address?"

"I will. Strange that I feel more confidence in you than I do even in
Randal. Do take care of Levy."

Lord L'Estrange and Frank here shook hands, and Frank, with an anxious
groan, saw L'Estrange disappear within the portals of the sleek
destroyer.

CHAPTER XVII.

Lord L'Estrange followed the spruce servant into Baron Levy's luxurious
study.

The baron looked greatly amazed at his unexpected visitor; but he got
up, handed a chair to my Lord with a low bow. "This is an honour," said
he.

"You have a charming abode here," said Lord L'Estrange, looking round.
"Very fine bronzes,--excellent taste. Your reception-rooms above are,
doubtless, a model to all decorators?"

"Would your Lordship condescend to see them?" said Levy, wondering, but
flattered.

"With the greatest pleasure."

"Lights!" cried Levy, to the servant who answered his bell. "Lights in
the drawing-rooms,--it is growing dark." Lord L'Estrange followed the
usurer upstairs; admired everything,--pictures, draperies, Sevres china,
to the very shape of the downy fauteuils, to the very pattern of the
Tournay carpets. Reclining then on one of the voluptuous sofas, Lord
L'Estrange said smilingly, "You are a wise man: there is no advantage in
being rich, unless one enjoys one's riches."

"My own maxim, Lord L'Estrange."

"And it is something, too, to have a taste for good soc