the drawing-room, where obvious
traces of the old ladies remained, and thence into his own
sitting-room, smelling pleasantly of Russia leather, and recalling that
into which Nuttie had been wont, before her schooldays, to climb by the
window, and become entranced by the illustrations of a wonderful old
edition of Telemaque, picked up at Paris.

Mr. Dutton made them sit and rest, for this had been a good deal of
exercise for Mr. Egremont; coffee was brought in, having been ordered
on their arrival, and therewith Mr. Dutton entered on an exposition of
the affairs of Greenleaf and Goodenough, which was listened to with a
good deal of interest, though Nuttie could not quite detect whether it
were altogether friendly interests in Mark's misfortunes, or if there
were not a certain triumph in the young man having run into trouble by
rejecting his offer.

Mr. Dutton explained that his present object was to induce the friends
of the family to prevent annoyance by preserving the furniture and
personals at a valuation; and Mr. Egremont readily agreed to contribute
to doing this, though he said the sisters and stepmother were well able
also to do their share.

'And then to give the young people a fresh start,' added Mr. Dutton.

'There are some men who are always wanting fresh starts,' said Mr.
Egremont, 'just as there are some vessels that are always unlucky. And
if you observe, it is just those men who are in the greatest haste to
hang an expensive wife and family round their necks.'

'I don't think poor Annaple can be accused of being expensive, papa,'
said Nuttie. 'Only think, when Wynnie has two nurses always after him,
her Willie has only the fraction of a little maid, who does all sorts
of work besides.'

'Yes, I never saw more resolute and cheerful exertion than Mrs. Mark
Egremont's,' said Mr. Dutton.

'She owes him something,' said Mr. Egremont, 'for she has been the ruin
of him.'

'Of his worldly prospects in one sense,' said Mr. Dutton quietly; while
Nuttie felt how much better and wiser an answer it was than the
indignant denial that trembled on her tongue. 'There can be no doubt
that they made a grievous mistake in their choice, and I unfortunately
was concerned in leading them into it; but no one can see how they meet
their troubles without great respect and admiration, and I am
especially bound to seek for some new opening for them. I have little
doubt that some office work might be found for him in Lon