While I lived she would not be allowed absolutely to want, and when I
died there would be some trifle for her, sufficient to keep the wolf
from the door. But I give you my solemn word and honour that she
shall never be the means of supplying wealth and luxury to such a
husband as you would be. I have better purposes for my hard-earned
money. Now, good-day." With that he rose from his chair and put out
his hand. Frank rose also from his chair, took the hand that was
offered him, and stepped out of Travers and Treason into Lombard
Street, with no special desire to shake the dust off his feet as he
did so. He felt that Sir Thomas had been reasonable,--and he felt
also that Gertrude Tringle would perhaps have been dear at the money.

Two or three days afterwards he despatched the following little note
to poor Gertrude at Merle Park;--

DEAR GERTRUDE,

I have seen your father again, and found him to be
absolutely obdurate. I am sure he is quite in earnest
when he tells me that he will not give his daughter to an
impoverished idle fellow such as I am. Who shall say that
he is wrong? I did not dare to tell him so, anxious as I
was that he should change his purpose.

I feel myself bound in honour, believing, as I do, that he
is quite resolved in his purpose, to release you from your
promise. I should feel that I was only doing you an injury
were I to ask you to be bound by an engagement which could
not, at any rate for many years, be brought to a happy
termination.

As we may part as sincere friends I hope you will consent
to keep the little token of my regard which I gave you.

FRANK HOUSTON.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

FRANK HOUSTON IS PENITENT.

"And now the Adriatic's free to wed another," said Houston to
himself, as he put himself into a cab, and had himself carried to
his club. There he wrote that valedictory letter to Gertrude which
is given at the end of the last chapter. Had he reason to complain
of his fate, or to rejoice? He had looked the question of an
establishment full in the face,--an establishment to be created by
Sir Thomas Tringle's money, to be shared with Sir Thomas Tringle's
daughter, and had made up his mind to accept it, although the
prospects were not, as he told himself, "altogether rosy." When he
first made up his mind to marry Gertrude,--on condition that Gertrude
should bring with her, at any rate, not less than three thousand
a-year,-