You are such a strange girl, that,
though you are more like other people than you used to be, I can never
feel quite sure of you. If it isn't that you are engaged, or going to do
something odd, what is it, dear?"

"Nothing, Aunt Helen. I was merely romancing a little, that's all. As
you say, I am a strange girl, and very likely what I am thinking about
is all a delusion, and may never come to anything. I may wake up any
morning and find it is a dream. But let your mind rest easy; I am not
contemplating anything that will isolate me from society."

"I should hope not, I am sure, after your last experience;" and I heard
her mutter to herself as I went out of the room,--"Mission? Why does she
want to bother her head about a mission? I shall never feel perfectly
safe until I see her well married."

III.

I had decided to be present at the second interview between Mr. Chelm
and Mr. Prime, for several reasons. I was curious to have another look
at my beneficiary, and I had an impression that Mr. Chelm might feel his
legal conscience prick him, and so spoil the plot, if I were not within
earshot. When the interview took place, however, the lawyer took a mild
revenge by toying with his visitor a little at first, as though about to
give an unfavorable answer; and I shall never forget Mr. Prime's
expression when the true state of the case was made known to him. After
sitting in silence for a moment as though endeavoring to grasp the
facts, he gave a short incredulous laugh, and stooping down to pat Ike,
said nervously,--

"Is this a joke? A ghastly practical joke?"

"It sounds like one, doesn't it?" said Mr. Chelm; and he grinned from
ear to ear. "I fancy, though, that you are not in a mood to be trifled
with. No, you have fallen on your feet this time, young man. What I have
told you is all true."

"Do you mean to say that your friend wishes to advance me two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars to found a banking-house?"

"Precisely."

"But I have no security to offer."

"I have already told you that no security will be required."

"Excuse me--eh--but is your friend of sound mind?"

"I don't wonder you ask, ha! ha! But I am compelled to answer yes. My
friend is a philanthropist. That may make matters clearer."

"It is like a fairy story, isn't it Ike? Let me rehearse the conditions
again, so as to be sure I am not dreaming. With this loan, which I shall
never be called on to pay back unless I choose, I am to est