found it impossible to conceal his surprise. But he answered without
hesitation.

"There is no such bright prospect in _my_ life," he said. "I am not even
in love."

She left him with a little sigh. It sounded like a sigh of relief.

Ernest Lismore was thoroughly puzzled. What could be the old lady's
object in ascertaining that he was still free from a matrimonial
engagement? If the idea had occurred to him in time, he might have
alluded to her domestic life, and might have asked if she had children?
With a little tact he might have discovered more than this. She had
described her feeling toward him as passing the ordinary limits of
gratitude; and she was evidently rich enough to be above the imputation
of a mercenary motive. Did she propose to brighten those dreary
prospects to which he had alluded in speaking of his own life? When he
presented himself at her house the next evening, would she introduce him
to a charming daughter?

He smiled as the idea occurred to him. "An appropriate time to be
thinking of my chances of marriage!" he said to himself. "In another
month I may be a ruined man."

III.

THE gentleman who had so urgently requested an interview was a devoted
friend--who had obtained a means of helping Ernest at a serious crisis
in his affairs.

It had been truly reported that he was in a position of pecuniary
embarrassment, owing to the failure of a mercantile house with which he
had been intimately connected. Whispers affecting his own solvency had
followed on the bankruptcy of the firm. He had already endeavored to
obtain advances of money on the usual conditions, and had been met
by excuses for delay. His friend had now arrived with a letter of
introduction to a capitalist, well known in commercial circles for his
daring speculations and for his great wealth.

Looking at the letter, Ernest observed that the envelope was sealed.
In spite of that ominous innovation on established usage, in cases of
personal introduction, he presented the letter. On this occasion, he was
not put off with excuses. The capitalist flatly declined to discount Mr.
Lismore's bills, unless they were backed by responsible names.

Ernest made a last effort.

He applied for help to two mercantile men whom he had assisted
in _their_ difficulties, and whose names would have satisfied the
money-lender. They were most sincerely sorry--but they, too, refused.

The one security that he could offer was open, it must be owned,