tion to you to know particulars
concerning where Miss Bowen's money is invested"--

"In the funds; and to remain there by her father's will, to I think you
said."

"Precisely. It _was_ invested there," returned the brother, with an
accent so light on the past tense that Nathanael, preoccupied with other
things than money matters, did not observe it.

"Well, then, so let it stay. Don't let us talk any more about this
matter. I trust entirely to you. To whom should I trust, if not to my
own brother?"

At these hearty words Major Harper's face, quick in every mobile
expression of feeling, betrayed much discomposure. He walked the room in
a mood of agitation, compared to which the bridegroom's own restlessness
was nothing. Then he went to the farther end of the apartment, and
hurriedly read over the marriage-settlement.

"Faugh, Grimes! what balderdash is this?" he whispered angrily.
"Balderdash?--nay, downright lies!"

"Drawn up exactly as you desired, and as we arranged, Major Harper,"
answered Mr. Grimes, formally. "Settling upon the lady and her heirs for
ever all her property now in the 'Three per Cent. Consols.'"

"Just heavens! and there's not a penny of it there!"

"But there will be by the time the marriage is celebrated, or soon
after--since you are determined to sell out those shares."

"I wish I could--I wish to Heaven I could!" cried the poor Major, in a
despair that required all the warnings of his legal adviser to smother
it down, so as to keep their conference private. "I've been driven
nearly mad going from broker to broker in the City to-day. I might
as well attempt to sell out shares in the Elysian Fields as in that
confounded Wheal Caroline."

"Fluctuations, my dear sir; mere fluctuations! 'Tis the same in all
Cornish mines. Yet, as I said, both concerning your own little property
and Miss Bowen's afterwards, I would wish no better investment. I have
the greatest confidence in the Wheal Caroline shares."

"Confidence!" echoed the Major, ruefully. "But where is my brother's
confidence in me, when I tell him?--'Pon my life, I can't tell him!"

"There is not the slightest need; I have accurate information from the
mine, which next week will raise the shares to ten per cent, premium,
and then, since you are so determined to sell out that most promising
investment"--

"I will, as sure as I live. I vow I'll never be trustee to any young
lady again, as long as my name is Frederick Harper. Howeve