been such a bad
sort of son after all. But I am not going to quarrel with you about
that: a man has a right to do as he likes with his own money."

"Yes; but, Dick, you are going to be sensible, you know, and drop the
girl?" in a wheedling sort of tone.

"Excuse me, father; I am going to do nothing of the kind," returned
Dick, with sudden firmness. "I am going to stick to her, as you did to
my mother; and for just as long, if it must be so. I am not a bit
afraid that you will not give your permission, if we only wait long
enough to prove that we are in earnest. The only thing I am anxious
about is how I am to get my living; and that is why I will not consent
to waste any more time at the University. The bar is too uphill work;
money is made quickest in the City: so, if you will be good enough to
give me an introduction to Stanfield & Stanfield,--I know they are a
rattling good sort of people,--that is all I will trouble you about at
present." And Dick drew in a long breath of relief after this weighty
speech.

"Do you mean this, Dick?" asked Mr. Mayne, rather feebly.

They had reached the hotel now, and, as they entered the private room
where their luncheon was awaiting them, he sat down as though he had
grown suddenly old and tired, and rested his head on his hand, perhaps
to hide the moisture that had gathered under his shaggy eyebrows.

"Yes, father, I do," returned Dick; but he spoke very gently, and his
hand touched his father's shoulder caressingly. "Let me give you some
wine: all this business has taken it out of you."

"Yes, I have had a blow, Dick,--my only boy has given me a blow,"
returned Mr. Mayne, pathetically; but as he took the wine his hand
trembled.

"I am awfully sorry," answered Dick, penitently: "if there were
anything else you had asked me but this--but I cannot give up Nan."
And, as he pronounced the name, Dick's eyes shone with pride and
tenderness. He was a soft-hearted, affectionate young fellow, and this
quarrel with his father was costing him a great deal of pain. In
everything else he would have been submissive to his parents; but now
he had a purpose and responsibility in his life: he had to be faithful
to the girl whom he had won; he must think for her now as well as for
himself. How sweet was this sense of dual existence, this unity of
heart and aim!

Mr. Mayne fairly groaned as he read the expression on his son's face.
Dick's youthful countenance was stamped with honest resolut