emphatic abuse.

"Likely, is it not?" laughed he. "You, a common thief, bring me, who've
saved you from a convict's cell, here to be insulted and made a fool of
by your miserable brats and servants, and then have the calmness to ask
me to lend you a hundred pounds? I admire your impudence, sir, and
that's all I admire about you."

"My dear fellow, how can you blame me--"

"Blame you! You don't suppose I'm going to take the trouble to do that!
Come, hand over the other hundred, sharp. I've nothing to say to you
till that's done."

And Mr Ratman, digging his hands in his pockets, got up and walked to
the fireplace.

Captain Oliphant's face fell. He knew his man by this time, and had
sense enough at least to know that this was no time for argument. Yet
he could not help snarling--

"I can only do part."

"The whole--in five minutes--or there'll be interest to add!" retorted
Mr Ratman.

With a groan Captain Oliphant flung down the second bank-note on the
table.

"Take it, you coward! and may it help you to perdition!"

"Thanks, very much," said Ratman, carefully putting away the money.
"I'm not going to ask you where the money came from. That would be
painful. Ah, Teddy, my boy, what a nice, respectable family man you
are, to be sure!"

With which acknowledgment Mr Ratman, in capital spirits, returned to
his room. On the way he encountered Tom, who, being of a forgiving
disposition, owed him no grudge for the trouble that had occurred at
breakfast-time.

"Hullo, Mr Ratty!" said the boy; "going out? Aren't you looking
forward to the party to-night? I am. Only I'm afraid they'll make a
mess of it among them. Auntie's ill and in bed, Rosalind and Roger are
spooning about in the grounds, Armstrong's got the dismals, and the
governor's not to be disturbed. I've got to look after everything. The
spread will be good enough--only I think they ought to have roasted an
ox whole in the hall; don't you? That's the proper way to do things,
instead of kickshaws and things with French names that one can swallow
at a gulp. I say, there's to be a dance first. I'll introduce you to
some of the old girls if you like. It won't be much fun for me, for
Jill has made me promise to dance every dance with her, for fear you
should want one. But I know a chap or two that will take her off my
hands. I say, would you like to see my den?" added he, as they passed
the door in question.

Mr Ratman being of an inquir