'Invest!' exclaimed Mr. Hunter, deep feeling in his tone. 'How do you know you will not lose it?' 'I have no fear, sir. The strike is at an end, and business will go on well now.' 'If I did not believe that it would, I would never consent to use it,' said Mr. Hunter. It was true. Austin Clay, a provident man, had been advancing his money to save the credit of his master. Suspecting some such a crisis as this was looming, he had contrived to hold his funds in available readiness. It had come, though, sooner than he anticipated. 'How am I to repay you?' asked Mr. Hunter. 'I don't mean the money: but the obligation.' A red flush mounted to Austin's brow. He answered hastily, as if to cover it. 'I do not require payment, sir. I do not look for any.' Mr. Hunter stood in deep thought, looking at him, but vacantly. Dr. Bevary was near the mantelpiece, apparently paying no attention to either of them. 'Will you link your name to mine?' said Mr. Hunter, moving towards Austin. 'In what manner, sir?' 'By letting the firm be from henceforth Hunter and Clay. I have long wished this; you are of too great use to me to remain anything less than a partner, and by this last act of yours, you have earned the right to be so. Will you object to join your name to one which was so near being dishonoured?' He held out his hand as he spoke, and Austin clasped it. 'Oh, Mr. Hunter!' he exclaimed, in the strong impulse of the moment, 'I wish you would give me hopes of a dearer reward.' 'You mean Florence,' said Mr. Hunter. 'Yes,' returned Austin, in agitation. 'I care not how long I wait, or what price you may call upon me to pay for her. As Jacob served Laban seven years for Rachel, so would I serve for Florence, and think it but a day, for the love I bear her. Sir, Mrs. Hunter would have given her to me.' 'My objection is not to you, Austin. Were I to disclose to you certain particulars connected with Florence--as I should be obliged to do before she married--you might yourself decline her.' 'Try me, sir,' said Austin, a bright smile parting his lips. 'Ay, try him,' said Dr. Bevary, in his quaint manner. 'I have an idea that he may know as much of the matter as you do, Hunter. You neither of you know too much,' he significantly added. Austin's cheek turned red; and there was that in his tone, his look, which told Mr. Hunter that he had known the fact, known it for years. 'Oh, sir,' he pleaded, 'give me Florence.' 'I tell you that you neither of you know too much,' said Dr. Bevary. 'But, look here, Austin. The best thing you can do is, to go to my house and ask Florence whether she will have you. Then--if you don't find it too much trouble--escort her home.' Austin laughed as he caught up his hat. A certain prevision, that he should win Florence, had ever been within him. Dr. Bevary watched the room-door close, and then drew a chair in front of his brother-in-law. 'Did it ever strike you that Austin Clay knew your secret, James?' he began.