MRS.

VAL'S NEW CARRIAGE On the next morning Alaric went to his office without speaking further as to the trouble on his mind, and endeavoured to comfort himself as best he might as he walked down to his office.

Then he had also to decide whether it would better suit his purpose to sell out at once and pay up every shilling that he could, or whether he would hold on, and hope that Undy's predictions would be fulfilled, and that the bridge shares would go on rising till they would sell for all that was required of him.
Unfortunate man! what would he have given now to change his position for Norman's single clerkship, or even for Charley's comparative poverty! Gertrude stayed within all day; but not all day in solitude.
About four in the afternoon the Hon.

Mrs.Val called, and with her came her daughter Clem, now Madame Jaquetanape, and the two Misses Neverbend.

M.Jaquetanape had since his marriage made himself very agreeable to his honourable mother-in-law, so much so that he now occupied the place in her good graces which Undy had formerly filled, and which after Undy's reign had fallen to Alaric's lot.