That gentleman, after leaving the shop, had gone straight to Lowndes Square, where he found only his uncle at home, Alice having gone out, under the chaperonage of a neighbour, to a ball. “Well, Frank, where do you come from? You do not often drop in so late as this.” “No, uncle; but I have just been making a call.” “Making a call, Frank? You have chosen rather a curious hour for visiting. Who is your friend?” “Stephen Walker, uncle.” “Stephen Walker!” Captain Bradshaw said, in a puzzled tone. “I seem to remember the name, but damme if I can recollect who it is.” “It is the man I picked up at the crossing last week, uncle Harry.” “Ah, yes, I remember now,” Captain Bradshaw said, laughing; “periodicals punctually supplied. And how long did your visit last, Frank?” “Better than an hour, uncle. I went into his room and smoked a pipe with him.” “Oh, indeed. And has the excellent newsman any family, Frank?” “He has one daughter, and she is without exception one of the very prettiest girls I ever saw.” “Oh, indeed,” Captain Bradshaw said, drily; “that accounts for the length of your visit. I suppose she was very grateful to the preserver of her father’s life, and that sort of thing? I should not be surprised now if she threw herself into your arms and kissed you—eh, Frank?” “Well, uncle,” Frank said, laughing, “I shall think you are a conjurer, for I confess that I did kiss her.” “Just what I guessed,” Captain Bradshaw said, even more drily. “And the father, Frank? I suppose he is a very superior sort of man?” “Very much so, uncle; I can assure you, although you are laughing at me, he is quite a gentleman; has travelled all over Europe, and has evidently mixed in good society there.” “Look here, Frank” Captain Bradshaw said, very gravely; “this is exactly the sort of thing which is sure to end badly. Here we have all the elements: father a decayed gentleman; daughter a lovely and accomplished girl, gushing over with gratitude to the preserver of her father’s life. I should advise you very seriously not to go there again. I have known these sort of things over and over again, scores of times, and they end in nine cases out of ten in a man’s making either a fool or a rascal of himself.” “But, uncle,” Frank broke out hotly——