st way back to Phoebe's lodgings took them through the street
which led to the Hampden Institution. Passing along the opposite side of
the road, they saw the private door opened. Two men stepped out. A third
man, inside, called after one of them. "Mr. Goldenheart! you have left
the statement of receipts in the waiting-room." "Never mind," Amelius
answered; "the night's receipts are so small that I would rather not be
reminded of them again." "In my country," a third voice remarked, "if
he had lectured as he has lectured to-night, I reckon I'd have given him
three hundred dollars, gold (sixty pounds, English currency), and have
made my own profit by the transaction. The British nation has lost its
taste, sir, for intellectual recreation. I wish you good evening."

Jervy hurried Phoebe out of the way, just as the two gentlemen were
crossing the street. He had not forgotten events at Tadmor--and he was
by no means eager to renew his former acquaintance with Amelius.

CHAPTER 6

Rufus and his young friend walked together silently as far as a large
square. Here they stopped, having reached the point at which it was
necessary to take different directions on their way home.

"I've a word of advice, my son, for your private ear," said the New
Englander. "The barometer behind your waistcoat points to a downhearted
state of the moral atmosphere. Come along to home with me--you want a
whisky cocktail badly."

"No, thank you, my dear fellow," Amelius answered a little sadly. "I own
I'm downhearted, as you say. You see, I expected this lecture to be a
new opening for me. Personally, as you know, I don't care two straws
about money. But my marriage depends on my adding to my income; and the
first attempt I've made to do it has ended in a total failure. I'm all
abroad again, when I look to the future--and I'm afraid I'm fool enough
to let it weigh on my spirits. No, the cocktail isn't the right remedy
for me. I don't get the exercise and fresh air, here, that I used to get
at Tadmor. My head burns after all that talking to-night. A good long
walk will put me right, and nothing else will."

Rufus at once offered to accompany him. Amelius shook his head. "Did
you ever walk a mile in your life, when you could ride?" he asked
good-humouredly. "I mean to be on my legs for four or five hours; I
should only have to send you home in a cab. Thank you, old fellow,
for the brotherly interest you take in me. I'll breakfast with you
to-m