Suez Railway Company will fare no worse than
the rest. We shall in all probability take their
whole body of officials into our service, and
incorporate the shareholders' interests with our
own. But the fact is, Saxon, you know too
little of life to be able to judge a question of
this kind; and I see you do not take kindly to
the idea, so we will say no more about it."

"I could not have borne to do harm," said
Saxon; "but now that you explain the matter
so fully, I am quite willing . . . ."

But Mr. Trefalden would not hear of it.

"No, no," he said, coldly, gathering up his
papers and folding his map. "I was anxious
to do all that was possible for your interests;
but it is, perhaps, better that you have nothing
to say to the New Route."

"Yet, if you think well of it . . . ."

"I think so well of it, that I am about to
invest all I possess in the company's shares;
but that need not influence you. In point of
fact, Saxon, I had rather leave your money in the
funds. You will get only three per cent; but you
can re-invest when you please, and the responsibility
of advising you will be mine no longer."

"You are vexed with me, cousin William!"

"I regret that you think me capable of
advising you to do what would not be right,"
replied Mr. Trefalden, somewhat stiffly.

"But I think nothing of the kind! I was
in error; but, as you said only a moment before,
I know nothing of life, so pray do not hold me
accountable for the sins of my ignorance."

"Tush! not another word," said the lawyer,
kindly. "You have said more than enough."

"And the investment?"

"With regard to the investment, I think the
most satisfactory course will be for me to leave
your money in government stock, at three per
cent. Even so, it will bring you one hundred
and thirty-five thousand per annum."

"As you please. It will be less trouble to
spend, and make me quite as happy!'*

Mr. Trefalden looked very grave.

"It will also leave you with less to give,
and less power to make others happy," said he.

The careless smile faded from Saxon's lip.

"I wish I knew what I ought to do!" he
exclaimed, with an impatient sigh. "What do
you really wish me to do, cousin William?"

"I had rather not say more than I have
already said," replied Mr. Trefalden. "You
have had my advice."

"So I have—and of course I ought to follow
it. You won't refuse to help me to do so?"

"Certainly not. You need only make your
decision, and give me your instructions."

"I have decided. Invest the money, by all
means, and let there be an end of it."

"And how do you wish me to invest it,
Saxon?" asked Mr. Trefalden, with his pen in
the ink.

"In the New Route, of course!"

"In one hundred pound shares, in the New
Overland Route Steam-packet and Railway
Company, Limited," said the lawyer, scribbling
rapidly. "And to what amount?"

"To whatever amount you think proper."

"Shall we say to the extent of two millions?"

"Why only two? What is to be done with
the rest?"

Mr. Trefalden stooped over his writing, and
a keen observer might have seen that he changed
colour.

"I do not recommend you," he said, " o
invest more at present. As it is, you will be the
largest shareholder on the list; and by-and-by,
if the company should see fit to raise further
capital, you can purchase additional shares. I
must trouble you to sign this paper, Saxon—it
is a power of attorney, which gives me authority
to sell out your two millions."

The young fellow took his cousin's pen, and
scrawled his name as carelessly as if he were
signing away a couple of pounds.

"You ought never to subscribe your name to
a paper without reading it," said Mr. Trefalden.
"Remember that. By the way, Saxon, I shall
see that you are entered as a director."

"As a director, if you please, then, who is
not expected to do anything," replied Saxon,
laughing. "Are you also a director?"

"No; I am only solicitor to the company.
But now that our business is settled, would you
not like to glance over these tables of estimates?
Here, you see, is a plan of the Route,
and here the probable cost per mile,
including . . . ."

"I beg your pardon, cousin William," interrupted
Saxon, "but if our business is settled, I
protest against hearing another word about the
Route. For pity's sake, let us go out, and forget
all about it!"

"I fear," said Mr. Trefalden, "that you are
utterly incorrigible."

"I know I am. Do you ride?"

"Yes; now and then."

"Then we will go in search of the hunting
party."

So Mr. Trefalden put his tables of estimates
back into his pocket-book, and business was
banished beyond recal. Then they went round
to the stables, and Saxon ordered out his two
thorough-breds.

"I trust you have not forgotten what I said
to you at Reichenau on the subject of fetters,
Saxon," said Mr. Trefalden, as they cantered
across the park. "Mademoiselle Colonna is a
dangerous neighbour. Beware of her."

Saxon laughed gaily.

"Fear nothing on my account, cousin
William," said he. "I have the advantage of
Achilles—there isn't a vulnerable point about
me."

"We are all apt to think so till the arrow
finds us out. However, if even your heart is
safe, I still say beware—for your cheque-book.
Has the signora levied no patriotic tax upon
you yet?"

"None whatever."

"That's ominous, with a revolt actually in
progress. She is reserving her strength, that
the blow may fall the heavier when it comes,
All I implore is, Saxon, that when Mademoiselle