have no strength to
argue the point. You had better arrange to leave to-morrow afternoon,
and give instructions to that effect to the servants."

Jack's start of surprise was entirely disagreeable. He had not expected
to be dismissed in this summary fashion, and the thought of so speedy a
break with the new life came upon him with a positive shock. To-morrow!
To-morrow, then, at this very hour he would be back in the dingy
lodgings which did duty for home, preparing to sit down to a solitary
meal, to spend a solitary evening, to sleep and wake up to a day's work
in the stifling City, where the thought of green fields and rose-
gardens, and wide, stretching lawns would seem as unreal as a dream. A
weight of depression settled on him, as he exclaimed--

"To-morrow! But--unless you wish it, there is no hurry--I could wait
until the end of the week. If I left on Saturday, I could still begin
work on Monday."

"For what object? Since you have decided not to remain, it is better
for all reasons that you should return at once. You have put your work
before everything else--then why delay in getting back to it? For my
own part, since you refuse to consent to my conditions, it would
simplify matters if you returned at once. The position is difficult,
and my strength is rapidly failing. I should have been glad if you had
consented to grant me these few weeks out of your life, but, since it is
not to be, I prefer to finish the matter once for all." He held out his
hand as he spoke. "Good-bye, Melland--my best wishes! I shall not see
you in the morning!"

Jack took the proffered hand, and held it in silence, his face a study
of perplexity and remorse. An Englishman hates to express his emotions,
but to a generous nature the sting of ungratefulness is even more
abhorrent. At that moment it seemed a little thing to spare a few
months of strong, young life to gratify the whim of a dying man. Jack's
heart reproached him, and he spoke in eager accents.

"If I could be a help to you, sir--if I felt that my presence gave you
pleasure or comfort, I would stay willingly as long as you wished; but
you have kept so much apart, that there has been no opportunity--"

Mr Farrell disengaged his hand, and turned aside with a wearied air.

"Good-bye, Melland!" he repeated. "I wish you a pleasant journey!"

So far as any change of voice or manner was concerned, he might not have
heard the young man's protest. Jack turned