CHAPTER X.

A FINANCIAL CRISIS.

Salanio-Now, what news on the Rialto ?

Salarino-Why, yet it lives there unchecked, that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading, wrecked on the narrow seas.

MERCHANT OF VENICE.

THE next morning's post brought two letters to Seton Row. One was from Mr. Marshman, to Ernestine ; the other was an invitation for the Singletons to go to Blayneys, Lord John Kilgour's place, for the Smokeshire Hunt Ball.

Lord John wrote himself to Geoffrey, and pressed him much to accept.

"We are to have a large party in the house," he said, "and you must bring your horses. We want Mrs. Singleton to show our ladies the way across country."

Geoffrey pondered over the matter a good deal, and was half disposed to decline. This visiting at big houses considerably increased the expense of living, and Geoffrey was only too anxious just then to retrench. Moreover, after what had passed between himself and his wife the night previous, he felt that it would not be quite good for her to go to Blayneys. Her wings required clipping rather; she was too flighty already.

Ernestine read her letter in bed.

It was

only a few lines from the lawyer, telling her that there was an ugly run in the city, and that they had better keep a sharp look out on

the Acatapulcos. Better sell, he insisted, at a loss, than risk every shilling.

"What an old idiot the man is," thought Ernestine, "after crying up these investments to the skies he is the first to take alarm. He must be up to some game or other. I don't think I shall interfere. Geoffrey had better see to his own affairs. If he is to go on hagging at me and my harmless diversions, we shall fall out one of these days. I won't stop with him to be bullied like this."

However, she thought better of her resolve, and before she had completed her toilette to down stairs, she had determined to tell her husband the contents of Mr. Marshman's note.

go

Notwithstanding her complaints against Geoffrey, she was sweet enough in her manner to him when they met.

"I hope you are properly ashamed of yourself, Master Geoff, for your language of last night," was her salutation, spoken in a

"chaffy" way, and evidently meant as an overture of peace. As such, Geoffrey took

it.

"Let bygones be bygones," he replied, cheerily enough.

"On condition that I never do so again, I suppose? So be it. Any letters ?"

"I sent you one up this morning; didn't you get it ?"

"it was

"Yes," she answered, carelessly; from Mr. Marshman; but I meant-did you get any letters that would interest me ?"

"No; not exactly," he said, half hesitatingly, for he had not quite made up his mind about Blayneys.

"Nothing from Lord John Kilgour ?" she enquired, looking at him sharply.

แ

Why, how on earth did you know ?"

"I knew the invitation was coming, bless

you. On what day are we to go ?"

"I have not decided yet whether we shall go or not," he said, shortly.

"Not go? Of course we'll go."

"How did you know we were to be asked? Tell me that?" said he.

"Sir George told me, to be sure."

Is he to be there ?"

"I believe so."

"That settles it. I shall write and refuse."

"You'll do nothing of the kind, Geoffrey. Pray am I not to be consulted in the mat

ter ?"

"Do you wish very much to go?" "Naturally I do."

"I'm very sorry for it; I've no intention

of "

"she

"Then I shall go without you," she remarked, defiantly.

"You'd better; I'll write and say you are going without me, and in direct opposition to my wishes. Will that suit you ?"

"Look here, Geoffrey; if this sort of thing is to go on day after day, the sooner we dis