the coffee is spoilt. Englishmen, as far as I can
see, have a partiality for chicory, but none at all for coffee."

"What I mean, sir, is this. Connected as I and my uncle are together,
seeing that he has all my life--" Here George paused a moment, for
what he was about to say might have seemed to imply a censure on his
father.

"Paid your school-bills, and all that sort of thing," filled in Sir
Lionel.

"Yes; as he has always done that, it seemed so natural that I should
take what he gave me."

"Quite natural. You could have done nothing else."

"And now he speaks of it as though--as though;--of course I am under
an obligation to him--a very deep obligation. I understand that, and
should not fret at it. But he thinks of it as though I had been to
blame in spending his money. When I see him next, he'll say something
of the same sort about that three hundred pounds. All I can do is to
remind him that I did not ask for it, and tell him that he may have
it back again."

"Do nothing of the kind, George," said Sir Lionel, who regarded as
little less than lunacy on his son's part this declared intention to
refund money to a rich man. "I know very well what you mean. It is
disagreeable to be reminded of money that you have spent."

"But I haven't spent it."

"Well, of money that you have received. But what can you do? It is
not your fault. As you truly say, it would be absurd and ungrateful
too if you were to decline to take such trifles from your own uncle;
especially seeing what he has done for you. It is his manner, and
that was always disagreeable; especially in money matters." And so
having given to his son the best advice he had to offer, Sir Lionel
sipped his coffee. "Very bad--very bad, indeed; it always is at these
English places. If I could have my own way, I would always keep out
of English haunts." In this respect Sir Lionel had had his own way
during the greater portion of his life.

Before they parted for the evening, George communicated to his father
the great fact of Miss Todd's picnic as settled for the next day;
and Sir Lionel expressed himself as willing to make one of the party
if Miss Todd could be induced to extend to him the light of her
countenance. On this head young Bertram, though his own acquaintance
had certainly been short, thought that he might take on himself to
answer. People soon get intimate with each other at such places as
Jerusalem. When you have been up the Great Pyramid with