far to stop; I must go on borrowing this money
of the Dodds; and make it the basis of a large
fortune: it will be best for all parties in the
end."

He put It into his pocket-book; that pocket-book
into his breast-pocket; and passed by his
private door into the house: and to his dressing-
room.

Ten minutes later he left the house with a
little black bag in his hand.

CHAPTER XXIII.

"WHAT will ye give me, and I'll tell ye," said
Maxley to Alfred Hardie.

"Five pounds."

"That is too much."

"Five shillings, then."

"That is too little. Lookee here, your garden
owes me thirty shillings for work: suppose you
pays me, and that will save me from going to
your Dad for it."

Alfred consented readily, and paid the money.
Then Maxley told him it was Captain Dodd he
had been talking with.

"I thought so! I thought so!" cried Alfred,
joyfully, " but I was afraid to believe it: it was
too delightful: Maxley, you're a trump: you
don't know what anxiety you have relieved me
of; some fool has gone and reported the Agra
wrecked; look here!" and he showed him his
Lloyd's; " luckily, it has only just come; so I
haven't been miserable long."

"Well, to be sure, news flies fast now-a-days.
He have been wrecked, for that matter." He
then surprised Alfred by telling him all he had
just learned from Dodd; and was going to let
out about the fourteen thousand pounds, when
he recollected this was the Banker's son; and
while he was talking to him, it suddenly struck
Maxley that this young gentleman would come
down in the world, should the Bank break: and
then the Dodds, he concluded, judging others by
himself, would be apt to turn their backs on him.
Now he liked Alfred, and was disposed to do
him a good turn, when he could without hurting
James Maxley. " Mr. Alfred," said he, " I know
the world better than you do: you be ruled by
me, or you'll rue it: you put on your Sunday
coat this minute; and off like a shot to Albyn
Villee; you'll get there before the captain: he
have got a little business to do first; that is
neither here nor there: besides, you are young
and lissom. You be the first to tell Missus
Dodd the good news; and, when the captain
comes, there sets you aside Miss Julee: and
don't you be shy and shamefaced : take him
when his heart is warm, and tell him why
you are there: 'I love her, dear,' says you.
He be only a sailor, and they never has no
sense nor prudence: he is amost sure to
take you by the hand, at such a time: and once
you get his word, he'll stand good, to his own
hurt; he's one of that sort, bless his silly old
heart."

A good deal of this was unintelligible to Alfred;
but the advice seemed good; advice generally
does when it squares with our own wishes: he
thanked Maxley, left him, made a hasty toilet,
and ran to Albion Villa.

Sarah opened the door to him; in tears.

The news of the wreck had come to Albion
Villa just half an hour ago; and in that half hour
they had tasted more misery than hitherto their
peaceful lot had brought them in years. Mrs.
Dodd was praying and crying in her room; Julia
had put on her bonnet, and was descending in
deep distress and agitation, to go down to the
quay and learn more, if possible.

Alfred saw her on the stairs, and at sight of
her pale, agitated face, flew to her.

She held out both hands piteously to him:
"Oh, Alfred!"

"Good news!" he panted. "He is alive;
Maxley has seen him—I have seen him—He will
be here directly—my own love—dry your eyes—
calm your fears—He is safe; he is well:
hurrah! hurrah!"

The girl's pale face flushed red with hope, then
pale again with emotion, then rosy red with
transcendent joy: " Oh, bless you! bless you!"
she murmured, in her sweet gurgle so full of
heart : then took his head passionately with
both her hands, as if she was going to kiss him:
uttered a little inarticulate cry of love and gratitude
over him, then turned and flew up the
stairs, crying "Mamma! mamma!" and burst
into her mother's room. When two such
Impetuosities meet, as Alfred and Julia, expect
quick work.

What happened in Mrs. Dodd's room may be
imagined: and soon both ladies came hastily out
to Alfred, and he found himself in the drawing-room
seated between them, and holding a hand
of each, and playing the man delightfully, soothing
and assuring them; Julia believed him at a
word, and beamed with unmixed delight and
anticipation of the joyful meeting; Mrs. Dodd
cost him more trouble: her soft hand trembled
still in his; and she put question upon question.
But, when he told her he with his own eyes
had seen Captain Dodd talking to Maxley,
and gathered from Maxley he had been
ship-wrecked on the coast of France, and lost his
chronometer and his sextant, these details
commanded credit; bells were rung: the captain's
dressing-room ordered to be got ready; the
cook put on her mettle, and Alfred invited to
stay and dine with the long-expected one:
and the house of mourning became the house
of joy.

"And then it was he who brought the good
news," whispered Julia to her mother; "and
that is so sweet."

"Yes, dear," said Mrs. Dodd, " he will make
even me love him. The £14,000! I hope that
was not lost in the wreck."

"Oh, mamma! who cares? when his own dear,
sweet, precious life has been in danger, and is
mercifully preserved. Why does he not come?
I shall scold him for keeping us waiting: you