amations at the words 'if I can,' as if he
thought everything in the power of the heir of Redclyffe.

'Have I not told you,' said Guy, 'that for the present I have very
little command of money? Hush! no more of that,' he added, sternly,
cutting off an imprecation which his uncle was commencing on those who
kept him so short.

'And you are content to bear it? Did you never hear of ways and means?
If you were to say but one word of borrowing, they would go down on
their knees to you, and offer you every farthing you have to keep you in
their own hands.'

'I am quite satisfied,' said Guy, coldly.

'The greater fool are you!' was on Dixon's lips, but he did not
utter it, because he wanted to propitiate him; and after some more
circumlocution, Guy succeeded in discovering that he had been gambling,
and had lost an amount which, unless he could obtain immediate
assistance, would become known, and lead to the loss of his character
and situation. Guy stood and considered. He had an impulse, but he did
not think it a safe one, and resolved to give himself time.

'I do not say that I cannot help you,' he answered, 'but I must have
time to consider.'

'Time! would you see me ruined while you are considering?'

'I suppose this must be paid immediately. Where do you lodge?'

Mr. Dixon told him the street and number.

'You shall hear from me to-morrow morning. I cannot trust my present
thoughts. Good night!'

Mr. Dixon would fain have guessed whether the present thoughts were
favourable, but all his hope in his extremity was in his nephew; it
might be fatal to push him too far, and, with a certain trust in
his good-nature, Sebastian allowed him to walk away without further
remonstrance.

Guy knew his own impetuous nature too well to venture to act on impulse
in a doubtful case. He had now first to consider what he was able to do,
and secondly what he would do; and this was not as clear to his mind as
in the earlier days of his acquaintance with his uncle.

Their intercourse had never been on a comfortable footing. It would
perhaps have been better if Philip's advice had been followed, and no
connection kept up. Guy had once begged for some definite rule, since
there was always vexation when he was known to have been with his uncle,
and yet Mr. Edmonstone would never absolutely say he ought not to see
him. As long as his guardian permitted it, or rather winked at it, Guy
did not think it necessary to attend to Philip's