I know how dull times are now, and you will soon make it up by commissions." The hard-pressed man could scarcely disguise the relief which these words brought.

He began a grateful acknowledgment of the kindness, when Arnault interrupted him by saying, "Oh, that's nothing--mere matter of business.

I will write you a check to-night for a thousand.
It's only an advance, you know," and then changed the subject.
"Will you go to town to-morrow ?" Mr.Wildmere asked.
"No, not to-morrow.

I'll run down Tuesday or Wednesday.

In spite of the times business doesn't give us much leeway this summer, but I've arranged to be away more or less at present." Then he added, with what was meant to be a frank, deprecatory laugh, "I suppose you see how it is.