aife L50,--to you, sir, L100."

Losely's eyes flashed, and his hands opened restlessly. "But, confound
it, where is she? Have you no clew?"

RUGGE.--"No, but we can easily find one; it was not worth my while to
hunt them up before I was quite sure that, if I regained my property in
that phenomenon, the law would protect it."

MRS. CRANE (moving to the door).--"Well, Jasper Losely, you will sell
the young lady, I doubt not; and when you have sold her, let me know."
She came back and whispered, "You will not perhaps now want money from
me, but I shall see you again; for, if you would find the child, you
will need my aid."

"Certainly, my dear friend, I will call again; honour bright."

Mrs. Crane here bowed to the gentlemen, and swept out of the room.

Thus left alone, Losely and Rugge looked at each other with a shy and
yet cunning gaze,--Rugge's hands in his trouser's pockets, his
head thrown back; Losely's hands in voluntarily expanded, his head
bewitchingly bent forward, and a little on one side.

"Sir," said Rugge, at length, "what do you say to a chop and a pint of
wine? Perhaps we could talk more at our ease elsewhere. I am only in
town for a day; left my company thirty miles off,--orphans, as I said
before."

"Mr. Rugge," said Losely, "I have no desire to stay in London, or indeed
in England; and the sooner we can settle this matter the better. Grant
that we find the young lady, you provide for her board and lodging;
teach her your honourable profession; behave, of course, kindly to her."

"Like a father."

"And give to me the sum of L100?"

"That is, if you can legally make her over to me. But, sir, may I
inquire by what authority you would act in this matter?"

"On that head it will be easy to satisfy you; meanwhile I accept your
proposal of an early dinner. Let us adjourn; is it to your house?"

"I have no exact private house in London; but I know a public
one,--commodious."

"Be it so. After you, sir."

As they descended the stairs, the old woman-servant stood at the street
door. Rugge went out first; the woman detained Losely. "Do you find her
altered?"

"Whom? Mrs. Crane?--why, years will tell. But you seem to have known me;
I don't remember you."

"Not Bridget Greggs?"

"Is it possible? I left you a middle-aged, rosy-faced woman. True, I
recognize you now. There's a crown for you. I wish I had more to spare!"

Bridget pushed back the silver.

"No; I dare not! Take money from you, J