ped up to the cracked mirror, and arranging
her tattered skirts, took up the banknote and left the room.

"She is a rare beauty," remarked Daddy Tantaine with the air of one who
was an authority in such matters, "and as clever as they make them.
Ah! if she had only some one to give her a hint, she might rise to any
height."

Paul's ideas were in such a wild state of confusion, that he could
make no reply; and, now that he was no longer held in thrall by Rose's
presence, he began to be terrified at what had taken place, for he
imagined that he caught a sinister expression in the old man's face
which made him very suspicious of the wisdom of the course he had been
persuaded to pursue. Was there ever such an unheard-of event as an old
man of such a poverty-stricken appearance showering banknotes upon the
heads of perfect strangers? There was certainly something mysterious
in the affair, and Paul made up his mind that he would do his utmost to
avoid being compromised.

"I have thought the matter over," said he resolutely; "and it is
impossible for me to accept the loan of a sum which it would be
difficult for me to repay."

"My dear young friend, that is not the way to talk. If you do not have a
good opinion of yourself, all the world will judge you according to your
own estimation. Your inexperience has, up to this time, been the sole
cause of your failure. Poverty soon changes a boy into a man as straw
ripens fruit; but the first thing you must do is to put all confidence
in me. You can repay the five hundred francs at your convenience, but I
must have six per cent. for my money and your note of hand."

"But really--," began Paul.

"I am looking at the matter in a purely business light, so we can drop
sentiment."

Paul had so little experience in the ways of the world, that the mere
fact of giving his acceptance for the money borrowed put him at once
at his ease, though he knew well that his name was not a very valuable
addition to the slip of paper.

Daddy Tantaine, after a short search through his pockets, discovered
a bill stamp, and, placing it on the table, said, "Write as I shall
dictate:--

'On the 8th of June, 188-, I promise to pay to M. Tantaine or order the
sum of five hundred francs for value received, such sum to bear interest
at the rate of six per cent. per annum.

'Frs. 500.

'PAUL VIOLAINE.'"

The young man had just completed his signature when Rose made her
appearance, bearing a plenti