life to which hitherto he had been a stranger. And now
to hear that she was the daughter of the man whom he could not think of
save as his enemy, almost made him reel! For a few minutes he walked
on by Preston's side without speaking, while his companion, almost
unconsciously realising that he was in no humour for speech, was
likewise silent.

"I suppose," said Preston presently, "that Bolitho and Wilson got
friendly through thy trial. Of course, Bolitho's a big man, and knows
a lot of the big people in London, still, he's allowed his daughter to
come visiting here, and I hear, too, that young Ned Wilson is sweet on
her."

Paul did not speak. His mind was dazed, but he felt sure that, for
weal or for woe, he and this girl would be associated in the future.

"Are you sure she's Bolitho's daughter?" he said to Preston a little
later.

"Oh, yes, I'm quite sure. Bolitho was staying at Wilson's house while
you were in prison. And it is said that the two families went away to
Switzerland together just after Christmas. Besides, Ned Wilson won't
be a bad catch. It is said that the firm is making fifty thousand a
year, and Ned is the only son. But there, Paul, that's not for us to
talk about. They're not in our world at all. We're just beginning,
and we shall have hard work to get on. And we must be careful of Ned
Wilson, too. But for him, as you know, we should have had Fletcher's
weaving shed, and that would have saved us twenty pounds a year in
rent."

"Yes," said Paul, and his lips were compressed as he spoke. "I fancy
the time will come when Ned Wilson and I will have a lot of old scores
to pay off, and I tell you what, Preston, when the time comes I'll not
have the worst of it."

A year from that date two events took place which need recording.
Preston and Paul had been going carefully through their books, and had
been engaged in what might be termed a kind of stocktaking.

"We have had a great year, Paul," said Preston.

"Yes, I suppose so," replied Paul.

"And I doubt if any two chaps, beginning as we did, have had such
success as we have had."

"Perhaps not," said Paul, "but we've not had enough yet. I've got a
scheme in my mind which I want to talk with you about, Preston."

"You're always full of schemes," replied the other.

"Yes but have they not turned out well?" was the answer.

"Ay, I know," was the reply. "But sometimes I've felt as though we
have been walking on eggs. I never