than ungrateful if I did not like a place where I
have so many friends. Then, again, I have so
much to do—so much to think of—so much to
learn. Why, it would take half a lifetime only to
see all the picture-galleries in London, and study
the Etruscan vases in the British Museum!"

Mr. Trefalden could not help laughing.

"You droll boy!" said he. "Do you mean to
tell me that you divide your attentions between
pretty prima donnas and cinerary urns?"

"I mean that I was in the Etruscan room for
three hours this morning, and that we have a
tazza at Rotzberg of a kind of which you have not
a single specimen in the collection—red, with
red bassi relievi. What do you say to that?"

"That I would not give five farthings for all
the old pottery in Europe."

"Yes you would, if you once learned to
look upon it as history. Now the pottery of
Etruria...."

"My dear Saxon," interposed Mr. Trefalden,
"as you are great, be merciful. Spare me the
pottery of Etruria, and tell me a little more
about yourself. You are learning to ride, are
you not?"

"Yes, I can ride pretty well already; and I
have a fencing lesson every other morning, and am
learning to drive. But I don't get on quite so well
with the whip as with the foils. I have an awkward
habit of locking my wheels with other people's,
and getting to the wrong side of the road."

"Awkward habits, indeed," said Mr. Trefalden.

"And—and I am learning to dance, also,"
said Saxon, with a shy laugh.

"In short, what with finishing your education,
giving suburban dinners, and cultivating
the fine arts, your time is tolerably well occupied."

"It is, indeed. I never seem to have a moment
to spare."

"Humph! And pray may I ask how much
money you have spent during these last three
weeks?"

"I haven't the least idea."

"I suspected as much. Kept no accounts, I
suppose?"

"None whatever."

Mr. Trefalden smiled significantly, but said
nothing.

"I suppose it's very wrong?" said Saxon. "I
suppose I ought to have put it all down in a
book?"

"Undoubtedly."

"But then I know nothing of book-keeping;
indeed, I scarcely yet know the real value of
money. But if you will tell me what I ought to
do, I will try. Gillingwater can help me, too.
He knows."

"Gillingwater is your valet, is he not? Where
did you hear of him?"

"Greatorex recommended him to me. He is
a most invaluable fellow. I don't know what I
should do without him."

"And you have a groom, I suppose?"

"I have two grooms."

"Two? My dear boy, what can you want
with more than one?"

"I don't know. Burgoyne said I couldn't do
with less—but then, you know, I keep five
horses."

"Indeed?"

"Yes; one for the cab, two for riding, and
two for the mail phaeton."

"And you keep them at livery, of course?"

"Yes; Burgoyne said it was the best way;
and that the beasts were sure to be ill-fed if I
hired stabling and left it to the men. He knows
so much about horses."

"Evidently. It was he who sold you that
mare and cab, was it not?"

"To be sure it was; and then I have bought
all the rest under his advice. I assure you,
cousin William, I don't believe any fellow ever
had such friends!"

Mr. Trefalden coughed, and looked at his
watch.

"Well," he said, " we must not forget that I
have brought you down here to-night, Saxon,
for a serious conference. Shall we have some
coffee first, to filter the dust from our brains?"

Whereupon, Saxon assenting, the lawyer rang
the bell, and coffee was brought. In the mean
while, the young man had made the tour of the
room, inspected the law books on the shelves,
examined the door of the safe, peeped out of the
window, and ascertained the date of the map
hanging over the fireplace. This done, he resumed
his chair, and said, with more frankness
than politeness:

"I'd as soon live in a family vault as in this
dismal place! Is it possible, cousin William,
that you have no other home?"

"The greater part of my life is passed here,"
replied Mr. Trefalden, sipping his coffee. "I
admit that the decorations are not in the highest
style of art; but they answer the purpose
well enough."

"And you actually live here, day and night,
summer and winter?"

"Why no—not altogether. I have a den—
a mere den—a few miles from town, in which I
hide myself at night, like a beast of prey."

"It is a relief to my mind to know that," said
Saxon. " I should like to see your den. Why
didn't you let me come to you there to-night?"

"Because you are not fat enough."

"Not fat enough?" repeated Saxon, laughing.

"I admit no man, unless to devour him.
Lawyers are ogres, my dear young man—and that
den of mine is paved with the bones of slaughtered
clients."

Saying which, Mr. Trefalden put an end to
the subject by ringing the bell, and sending for
Mr. Keckwitch.

"You may close the office and go, Keckwitch,"
said he. "I do not want you any more this
evening."

Mr. Keckwitch looked at his employer with
eyes that had no more speculation in them than
if they had been boiled.