"Yes, but papa, if some serious change is really
going on inside his poor head."

Mr. Hardie smiled sarcastically. "Don't you
see that if the mind can wound the brain, the
mind can cure it?" Then, after a while, he said
parentally, "My child, I must give you a lesson:
men of the world use enthusiasts—like those
two I have just been drawing out—for their
tools; we don't let them make tools of us.
Osmond, you know, is jackal to an asylum in
London; Dr. Wycherlcy, I have heard, keeps two
or three such establishments by himself or his
agents: blinded by self-interest, and that of their
clique—what an egotistical world it is to be sure!
—they would confine a melancholy youth in a
gloomy house, among afflicted persons, and give
him nothing to do but brood; and so turn the
scale against his reason: but I have my children's
interest at heart more than my own; I shall
send him abroad, and so amuse his mind with
fresh objects, break off sad associations, and
restore him to a brilliant career. I count on
you to second me in my little scheme for his
good."

"That I will, papa."

"Somehow, I don't know why, he is coolish
to me."

"He does not understand you, as I do, my own
papa."

"But he is affectionate with you, I think."

"Oh yes, more than ever: trouble has drawn
us closer. Papa, in the midst of our sorrow, how
much we have to be thankful for to the Giver of
all good things!"

"Yes, little angel: and you must improve
Heaven's goodness by working on your brother's
affection, and persuading him to this continental
tour."

Thus appealed to, Jane promised warmly: and
the man of the world, finding he had a blind and
willing instrument in the one creature he loved,
kissed her on the forehead, and told her to run
away, for here was Mr. Skinner, who no doubt
wanted to speak on business.

Skinner, who had in fact been holding respectfully
aloof for some time, came forward on Jane's
retiring, and in a very obsequious tone requested
a private interview. Mr. Hardie led the way
into the little dining-room.

They were no sooner alone than Skinner left
off fawning, very abruptly; and put on a rugged
resolute manner that was new to him: "I am
come for my commission," said he, sturdily.

Mr. Hardie looked an inquiry.

"Oh, you don't know what I mean, of course,"
said the little clerk, almost brutally: "I've
waited, and waited, to see if you would have the
decency, and the gratitude, and the honesty, to
offer me a trifle out of It; but I see I might wait
till doomsday before you would ever think of
thinking of anybody but yourself. So now shell
out without more words, or I'll blow the
gaff." The little wretch raised his voice louder
and louder at every sentence.

"Hush! hush! Skinner," said Mr. Hardie,
anxiously, "you are under some delusion. When
did I ever decline to recognise your services? I
always intended to make you a present, a
handsome present."

"Then why didn't ye do it without being
forced? Come, sir, you can't draw the wool
over Noah Skinner's eyes; I have had you
watched, and you are looking towards the U. S.,
and that is too big a country for me to hunt you
in. I'm not to be trifled with: I'm not to be
palavered: give me a thousand pounds of It
this moment, or I'll blow the whole concern, and
you along with it."

"A thousand pounds?!"

"Now look at that!" shrieked Skinner.
"Serves me right for not saying seven thousand.
What right have you to a shilling of it more than
I have? If I had the luck to be a burglar's pal
instead of a Banker's, I should have half. Give
it me this moment, or I'll go to Albion Villa and
have you took up for a thief; as you are."

"But I haven't got it on me."

"That's a lie: you carry it where he did;
close to your heart: I can see it bulge: there,
Job was a patient man, but his patience went at
last." With this he ran to the window and threw
it open.

Hardie entreated him to be calm. "I'll give
it you, Skinner," said he, "and with pleasure, if
you will give me some security that you will not
turn round, as soon as you have got it, and be my
enemy."

"Enemy of a gent that pays me a thousand
pounds? nonsense! Why should I? We are in
the same boat: behave like a man, and you know
you have nothing to fear from me: but I will—
not—go halves in a theft for nothing: would
you? Come, how is it to be, peace or war?
Will you be content with thirteen thousand
pounds that don't belong to you, not a shilling
of it, or will you go to jail a felon, and lose it every
penny?"

Mr. Hardie groaned aloud, but there was no
help for it. Skinner was on sale: and must be
bought.

He took out two notes for five hundred pounds
each, and laid them on the table, after taking
their numbers.

Skinner's eyes glistened: "Thank you, sir,"
said he. He put them in his pocket. Then he
said quietly, "Now you have taken the numbers,
sir, so I'll trouble you for a line to make me
safe against the criminal law. You are a deep
one; you might say I robbed you."

"That is a very unworthy suspicion, Skinner;
and a childish one."

"Oh, it is diamond cut diamond. A single
line, sir, just to say that in return for his faithful
services you have given Noah Skinner two notes
for 500l. Nos. 1084 and 85."

"With all my heart—on your giving me a
receipt for them."

It was Skinner's turn to hesitate. After reflecting,
however, on all the possible consequences,
he saw nothing to fear; so he consented.