Now have I your support ?" "Yes, my dear friend, why not, though Barbara does not want money, for she has plenty of her own, in first-class securities that I could never persuade her to vary, for she is shrewd in that way and steadily refuses to sign anything.

Also she will probably be my heiress--and, Aylward," here a sickly look of alarm spread itself over his face, "I don't know how long I have to live.

That infernal doctor examined my heart this morning and told me that it was weak.

Weak was his word, but from the tone in which he said it, I believe that he meant more.

Aylward, I gather that I may die any day." "Nonsense, Haswell, so may we all," he replied, with an affectation of cheerfulness which failed to carry conviction.
Presently Mr.Haswell, who had hidden his face in his hand, looked up with a sigh and said: "Oh! yes, of course you have my support, for after all she is my only relation and I should be glad to see her safely married.