of the fact that they knew nothing whatever about them, he hastened away from a scene of such broken-down misery, muttering as he went along, 'My case is different. I'm going to join a Syndicate.' Four o'clock came.

'No go, Ralph-awful pity-very sorry!' was Walter's exclamation on seeing Ralph enter. And then the poor boy saw fifty thousand solid sovereigns-so solid that he almost felt to grasp them, and they were always called 'solid' when you were to be drawn on, sir-gliding, slipping, fading away into Space, and with them every joy in life and death and—everywhere!

'How much is wanted-is it a question of tin?' asked Ralph, the beads of perspiration standing out upon his forehead, his hat half off behind, and his air feverish and eager.

'Nothing else,' was the quiet reply.

Need the rest be told, sir? How that the money was forthcoming for Walter made up the difference, Ralph calling him 'noble fellow,' and while he hugged him in his ecstasy not noticing his brother's high cheek-bones, or that his frame was as chill and immovable as a block of marble; how that within an hour Ralph was introduced to members of this famous Syndicate, as well as to the various brokers, the only words vibrating in the air being, 'Tremendous rise!' 'Mum, you know!' 'Syndicate! Great success! that, all restraints being broken down, Ralph, captivated by the sounds, raved on in the old mad way. Money must be cheap, coming in from all quarters togethercan't give authority, &c. &c.

เ

And I heard the poor boy repeating, 'Ab, to live once more, to be so near to her!' And I heard a broker mock the while he grinned and chuckled, 'Hia-hia-ha!' and from that moment Jacob had marked Ralph for his own.

'I love her,' said Ralph aloud. Nobody loves as I love— nobody!'

And Jacob heard, and said aloud to him confidingly, 'Such great pluck is worthy of success !' And Jacob was Raskall's cousin, and he enticed Ralph into buying much more Speculatively. And Jacob was gay with the merry, sedate with the serious, urging prudence to the rash-should their 'cover' be low, breathing hope into the desponding-with a good margin left. Jocose with the knowing ones was Jacob, condescending to the uninitiated plump pigeon, devoted to his female clients, and funny with all.

day.

And what do you think of " Beloveds"? asked Ralph one

6 Got any

?' asked Jacob.

'Friend has,' said Ralph.

'I hear that a certain nobleman' (mentioning his name) 'is largely interested.'

I fear so,' replied Ralph.

By the bye, Osborne, any business you can influence to me of his I will allow you half-commission upon.'

Jacob told Ralph this so confidentially, and hopped off so nimbly to allow the words to take effect, that Ralph was stunned for the moment. Jacob had got into Alsatia by the time Ralph had roared at the top of his voice, drawing himself up very much like a camel as he did so, 'What the devil do you take me for, sir? Ralph got hot in the face at the bare idea of anybody suspecting him of being capable of accepting for his own personal use half-commissions on the business of a friend, and that friend the Marquis of Trememdon, as though he-Ralph Osborne

were a common tout!

CHAPTER XIII.

""A jolly place," said he, "in times of old;

But something ails it now; the spot is cursed."

WORDSWORTH.

A FEW days later on I saw Ralph Osborne and Lady Beatrice Playfair talking together in a half-subterranean passage or corridor of the large marquee which was raised over the Ancient Court at Old Trememdon. The ball was on, the pace had been tremendous, and they were now resting, cool and secure from the rush of dancers, amidst the fragrance and perfume of delicious shrubs and flowers.

They had not been seated long upon a projecting stem of an old gnarled ivy-tree which had flourished and luxuriated for centuries since the Old Court had lapsed into disuse, when the little pet at Ralph's side burst into a gay laugh which went through him in a moment. Oh, how capital to get me away from Walter,' she said, wasn't it? I never could dance with Walter-not dance, you know.'

Ralph looked at her, as with colour heightened with the exercise she seemed too beautiful for earth. Uncle Allan was engaged, or he would have helped me,' she said. 'I'm such a pet of Uncle Allan's, Ralph.'

'You're such a pet of everybody's,' he whispered.

'Indeed I'm not,' she said, looking dubiously at Ralph. '1

am of Alfred's though. How I do wish Alfred were with us now, dear Ralph !'

Ah, Alfred,' Ralph whispered.

'Yes, Alfred,' she whispered too.

Now Ralph had come down to Trememdon resolved to be-practical.

The Spectre laughs-he cannot help it. Ralph practical' ! He thought he would seek an interview, and only one-not in the crowded ball-room, oh, no! but in some quiet nook, be it in Castle turret, be it in snow-clad ravine, or down in furthest woodssomewhere, ay, anywhere, so that it be alone with Birdie; there to pour forth his soul to her, when each would feel it almost sacrilege to gaze into each other's eyes-for all was felt-that 'all,' so indescribable, so evanescent, that e'en a glance would dissipate and waft it hither and thither, so that, should it by chance return, that 'all' had lost its freshness-'twas not the same, its charm-itself was gone!.

Thus philosophised Ralph Osborne.

And now the little creature at his side looked more than mortal; and as they moved far down the passage they came to a bend, with a corner beyond, round which the corridor led again into the grand saloon.

Just here they felt as much away from human gaze as in a wilderness or on a vast ocean beach, with no sights, no sounds but rippling waves and sighing winds.

I watched them for an instant longer; they said but little, and now neither spoke a word—their hearts were full, perhaps.

Ah,

I hasted away, to keep intruders out by every conceivable Spectral

Soon after I saw them coming back. Oh, tell it in a whisper! -nay, hardly breathe. I do think Ralph had!

I do think Birdie had!

If one had, both had! I never saw Ralph looking so before, and I have ever watched him. And she was like the summer's rose upon the spotless snow!

'Don't let us dance any more to-night, Ralph, my head is so hot! I heard her say. It gets so now so quickly after my tumble from the pony-carriage.'

Emma Louise Osborne came up just after, leaning on Captain Slasher's arm.

'Brothers and sisters never do,' Ralph had always said.

Birdie kissed his sister Emma directly after though, and Ralph wisely turned away.

'It's all about papa I want to talk,' she said to Ralph, as soon as they were gone; 'he is so changed! I wish Alfred had never left, for Reggy is so much away, and—' She stopped, for the Marquis, coming up, said,

'I'm sure I'm very pleased to hear of your great success in the City, Mr. Osborne; it's quite the talk, I hear. If business will not allow you to stay, you must come down and see us as soon as you can.'

It was true. The Syndicate had indeed carried all before it; outside fools had eagerly flocked in, and seized upon a worthless 'thing' which had risen to a high premium, and Ralph was growing richer every day!

The lovers saw the Marquis rejoin Walter.

'What can Walter want so much with papa?' asked she.
Ralph said he thought it must be 'business.'

'But is it Speculative Business?' asked the little three-daysBecause I do not like it, and I should be so grieved-it would quite break my heart!'

old plaintively. Ralph was fairly staggered.

Ralph trembled, and clasped her in his arms, and then exclaimed, 'Oh, there's a lot of money to be made out of it sometimes.'

I wouldn't mind if millions could-I shouldn't like it,' pursued she with a little sob.

'Oh, you little goose!' cried he, trying to assume a cheerful air.

'I cannot help it if I am,' she said plaintively, trembling, and nestling closer to his side.

Ralph felt like a guilty wretch, and said no more.

'Dear Ralph! oh, look at poor papa!' cried she. Ralph pressed his hand on hers, she clasping his arm with both her tiny hands. They neared the corner, she whispering in his ear, 'This is the haunted corridor! I wouldn't come at night for all the world!'

'Why, Birdie dear,' he said, 'it is night;' and watched her bright eyes flash and sparkle as she said,

But, Ralph, I'm with you now. I'd go with you right round

the world!'

I thought it well to leave them here--I never could bear scenes. When I returned, I overheard her begging Ralph to

'Tell me all about papa and Walter-I know you will.' She looked quite wicked as she added, I hate that Walter Maxwell, that I do!'

She heard a rustling sound beyond the shrubs, which had not caught his ear; he sat himself upon the root of ivy as she faded

M

from his view among the trees and shrubs, repeating, 'I hate him so stamping the ground with fairy virgin feet at every word she uttered. Emerging into the light, she suddenly turns quite pale-the colour mounts again, while stamping her naughty little foot, she cries,

'I wish he heard me, Ralph; I want to tell him how I hate-'

Her shriek was fearful. Springing madly to the spot, he caught her in his arms as she fell heavily to the ground. She had just before been gazing intently towards the extreme end, where a calm spectator might now have heard the rustle of a dress amid receding footsteps; two figures were seen emerge and saunter unconcernedly towards the band, but Ralph now saw no object but the unconscious burden resting in his arms.

CHAPTER XIV.

'Back to the ball-room speed your spectred host;
Fool's paradise is dull to that you lost.

Endearing Waltz 1

country dance, forego

Your future claims to each fantastic toe!

Waltz, Waltz alone, both legs and arms demands,

Liberal of feet, and lavish of her hands;

Hands which may freely range in public sight

Where ne'er before-but-pray "put out the light."

Methinks the glare of yonder chandelier

Shines much too far, or I am much too near;

And, true though strange, Waltz whispers this remark,

66

My slippery steps are safest in the dark !"

And here the Muse with due decorum halts,

And lends her longest petticoat to Waltz.'-BYRON.

'WHAT fiend has dared to terrify my darling?' I heard the wild youth utter.

Fresh music had begun. Tiny footfalls, brilliant eyes, dainty and bewitching forms, rustling dresses, sparkling jewels, and the clear, merry laugh of youth now excited, only to madden him. The hum of many voices bewildered him, and while all sought him, his soul was sorrowful and absent.