uare?
And, besides, there'd better be an end of it. Mr. Lopez'd turn Sexty
and me out of the house at a moment's notice if it wasn't for the
money."

"It's papa's house," said Mrs. Lopez, not, however, meaning to make
an attack on her husband.

"I suppose so, but I shan't come to trouble no one; and we live ever
so far away, at Ponder's End,--out of your line altogether, Mrs.
Lopez. But I've taken to you, and will never think ill of you any
way;--only do as you said you would."

"I will try," said Mrs. Lopez.

In the meantime Lopez had received from Mr. Wharton an answer to his
letter about the missing caravels, which did not please him. Here is
the letter:--

MY DEAR LOPEZ,

I cannot say that your statement is satisfactory, nor can
I reconcile it to your assurance to me that you have made
a trade income for some years past of L2000 a year. I do
not know much of business, but I cannot imagine such a
result from such a condition of things as you describe.
Have you any books; and, if so, will you allow them to be
inspected by any accountant I may name?

You say that a sum of L20,000 would suit your business
better now than when I'm dead. Very likely. But with such
an account of the business as that you have given me, I do
not know that I feel disposed to confide the savings of my
life to assist so very doubtful an enterprise. Of course
whatever I may do to your advantage will be done for the
sake of Emily and her children, should she have any. As
far as I can see at present, I shall best do my duty
to her, by leaving what I may have to leave to her, to
trustees, for her benefit and that of her children.

Yours truly,

A. WHARTON.

This, of course, did not tend to mollify the spirit of the man to
whom it was written, or to make him gracious towards his wife. He
received the letter three weeks before the lodgings at Dovercourt
were given up,--but during these three weeks he was very little
at the place, and when there did not mention the letter. On these
occasions he said nothing about business, but satisfied himself with
giving strict injunctions as to economy. Then he took her back to
town on the day after her promise to Mrs. Parker that she would
"try." Mrs. Parker had told her that no woman ought to be afraid to
speak to her husband, and, if necessary, to speak roundly on such
subjects. Mrs. Parker was certainly not a highly educated lady,