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wives and children well provided for,' returned Ralph Pennicuick testily. Unfortunately, only one person in a thousand can do so. Conway, as we all know, was not one of the fortunate exceptions. You speak of the scruples of his family; why should they have scruples?'

"It is not "they," but one of them, of whom I was thinking. I do not agree with you that Mrs. Conway is morose; but she is rather peculiar, and--'

'She hates me like the devil-probably more than the devil-if that is what you mean by being "peculiar," interrupted the other.

Raymond was greatly embarrassed by this outburst, for he felt that what had been said was true. At the same time, it was creditable to his father that, in spite of his knowledge of Mrs. Conway's feelings towards him, he had the intention to benefit her.

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'Antipathies are often removed by kindness, sir,' said he gently; though of course I was not alluding to anything of the kind; I referred to her independence of spirit, which would probably make her hesitate to receive a mere bounty.'

'She can either take it or leave it, for that matter; her obstinacy shall not affect my good intentions. I will settle some sum upon her daughter which will be sufficient for both of them.'

'You are very good,' said Raymond, and that doubtful phrase for once really expressed his feelings. But at the same time he was far from satisfied that this benevolent scheme would bring forth fruit. He knew that Nelly shared in some degree her mother's independence of character, if not her antipathies, and would be slow to take her bread from another's hand; moreover, he felt that, as a dependent on his father's bounty, she would in his eyes be less eligible than ever as a wife for his son. He had intended to speak upon that matter, if any opening had offered itself, if his father had expressed that sorrow and tenderness for the family, and for his friend's memory, which he had ventured to hope; but the moment, it was clear, was far from opportune. There was a certain harshness in his father's tone, even when speaking of his own good intentions towards the widow and her daughter, that warned Raymond to postpone the pleading of his cause. Between the time that must elapse before the letter he had written to China could return and reach his father's hands, there would surely be better opportunities; only meanwhile he could not speak to Nelly on the subject, and she was sure to construe his silence as significant of failure.

Dinner had been brought in by this time, and while Hatton waited, it seemed natural enough that the conversation should be

confined to general subjects. Mr. Pennicuick appeared to be more interested in politics than had been customary with him of late years, and expressed his intention of sitting for a borough, if a good one (by which he meant a bad one) should happen to offer itself. But when the repast was over and they were left alone, he still abstained from speaking of the catastrophe that had befallen his friend. At this, Raymond, who knew his father to be far from sentimental, was greatly surprised, and as the evening wore on he felt it incumbent on himself to broach the subject.

'I promised, as soon as I should have seen you, to run down to Richmond,' said he tentatively, 'in case you yourself should be unable to do so.'

'Ah, very good. Perhaps you may be able to sound Mrs. Conway as respects her acceptance of the-the allowance we were speaking of; I should wish to behave handsomely in the matter; what do you say to 300l. a year?'

If Ralph Pennicuick, who of course was not aware that Raymond knew of that nest egg' of 20,000l., expected an outburst of applause at this munificence, he must have been disappointed; the young man only answered with gravity, It will, I think, be quite sufficient. Their tastes are very simple, and they have always been accustomed to live upon a little.'

'Yes, but a little which is given as of right becomes a good deal, let me tell you, when it is given voluntarily,' observed the elder Pennicuick. You speak as if 300l. a year was to be picked up at every street corner. I named that sum, however, because I thought it a fitting one; if you think it less than it ought to be, I will add another hundred.'

Raymond looked up surprised, not, indeed, even now at the extent of his father's liberality, which to his eyes seemed moderate enough, but at the effect of his own words. It occurred to him little less than astounding that any arguments of his, and far less any mere hint or intimation, should have altered his father's views, and especially upon a matter of money. Hitherto, upon the few occasions when he had ventured to propose a freer disbursement of cash, whether in his own favour or that of others, he had met with a steadfast and contemptuous resistance.

I think it would be very gracious, father, to leave the ladies their choice. You could say they are the best judges of their own requirements, and that either 3001. or 400l. a year would be equally convenient to you.'

It is absurd to pretend there is no difference between 3 and 4.' answered the other testily; but make the offer your own way. I intend to act for their benefit, of course, but I don't desire any

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thanks-mind that,' he added sharply. 'I don't wish them to feel any sense of obligation, and still less do I wish them to express it.'

The sentiment was not out of keeping with his father's character; he was a man who did not care for thanks (and, to say truth, he seldom earned them), but the vehemence of his words. and manner struck Raymond as remarkable.

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'Of course, sir,' said he, smiling, they will not thank you if you don't like it. But are they not to hear your kind intentions towards them from your own lips?'

No; I have no time at present to go down to Richmond. I have a great deal to do in London. You can say everything for me.' 'But I have nothing to say, father. With the exception of this generous offer, which I will take on myself to make known to them, since you wish it, I have absolutely nothing to tell them: I mean, as to Captain Conway's death. Of course they will be expecting particulars.'

'What nonsense! Did not I telegraph the particulars? Women don't want to have their minds harrowed by dreadful descriptions, surely. The poor fellow was put to death; is not that enough, even if it had happened in a civilised country? Do you not understand that, since it was in China, the details are terrible?' and into Ralph Pennicuick's face there came a look of horror that seemed, as it were, to illustrate his words.

'Still, sir, they will ask questions: I mean, as to what he said at the last.'

'I did not see him at the last. Did you not hear that I hurried off to Shanghae in hopes to get a pardon for him?'

'Yes, sir, everybody speaks of your strenuous efforts to save your friend that part of the tidings seems the only one with any truth in it that at first reached us: though, as it was reported, it was Conway who was at Shanghae, and you who were condemned to death. But you look pale, father. I am sure you are fatigued with your long journey, and no doubt this topic is distressing to you.'

'It is not, sir,' exclaimed Ralph Pennicuick angrily; that is, of course it is not a pleasant topic, but I hope I can speak of it like a man. On the other hand, it did strike me that it was a very shocking one to discuss with Mrs. Conway and her daughter.'

There is no doubt of that, father. It would make the matter easier for me, and, what is of more consequence, less painful to them, if I had any message to deliver.'

"There was none,' interrupted Ralph Pennicuick curtly; nothing, at least, but his blessings and farewells; you can imagine them, and say them yourself. The whole thing took

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