t fresh mortifications and
insults in life; to be flouted by every fellow that has a father, and
outraged by every cur whose mother was married."

"And are the colonies especially inhabited by illegitimate offspring?"
said Upton, dryly.

"At least he'd not be met with a rebuff at every step he made. The rude
life of toil would be better than the polish of a civilization that
could only reflect upon him."

"Not badly said, Harcourt," said Upton, smiling; "but as to the boy, I
have other prospects. He has, if I mistake not, very good faculties. You
estimate them even higher. I don't see why they should be neglected.
If he merely possess the mediocrity of gifts which make men tolerable
lawyers and safe doctors, why, perhaps, he may turn them into some
channel. If he really can lay claim to higher qualities, they must not
be thrown away."

"Which means that he ought to be bred up to diplomacy," said Harcourt.

"Perhaps," said the other, with a bland inclination of the head.

"And what can an old dragoon like myself contribute to such an object?"
asked Harcourt.

"You can be of infinite service in many ways," said Upton; "and for the
present I wish to leave the boy in your care, till I can learn something
about my own destiny. This, of course, I shall know in a few days.
Meanwhile you 'll look after him, and as soon as his removal becomes
safe you 'll take him away from this,--it does not much matter whither;
probably some healthy, secluded spot in Wales, for a week or two, would
be advisable. Glencore and he must not meet again; if ever they are to
do so, it must be after a considerable lapse of time."

"Have you thought of a name for him, or is his to be still Massy?" asked
Harcourt, bluntly.

"He may take the maternal name of Glencore's family, and be called
Doyle, and the settlements could be drawn up in that name."

"I'll be shot if I like to have any share in the whole transaction! Some
day or other it will all come out, and who knows how much blame may be
imputed to us, perhaps for actually advising the entire scheme," said
Harcourt.

"You must see, my dear Harcourt, that you are only refusing aid to
alleviate an evil, and not to devise one. If this boy--"

"Well--well--I give in. I'd rather comply at once than be preached into
acquiescence. Even when you do not convince me, I feel ashamed to oppose
myself to so much cleverness; so, I repeat, I 'm at your orders."

"Admirably spoken," said Upton, with