"Have you come to dinner?" inquired Alice, speaking at random, and angry at her own agitation. "_I_ come to dinner!" repeated Gerard. "Why, you know they'd as soon sit down with the renowned Mr. Ketch." "Indeed I know nothing about it: we have been away in Gloucestershire for months, as I dare say you are aware: I was hoping that you and the colonel might have been reconciled. Why did you come in, Gerard? Thomas may tell them." "Thomas won't. I charged him not to. The idea of your never coming up till June! Some whim of Lady Sarah's, I suppose. Two or three times a-week for the last month have I been marching past this house, wondering when it was going to show signs of life. Frances is here still?" "Oh yes. She remains here altogether." "To make up for---- Alice, was it not a shame to turn me out?" "I was extremely sorry for what happened, Mr. Hope, but I knew nothing of the details. Lady Sarah said you had displeased herself and the colonel, and after that she never mentioned your name." "What a show of smart things you have here, Alice! Are you going to set up a bazaar?" "They are Lady Sarah's bracelets." "So they are, I see! This is a gem," added Gerard, taking up the fine diamond bracelet already mentioned. "I don't remember this one." "It is new. The colonel has just given it to her." "What did it cost?" Alice laughed. "Do you think it likely I have heard? I question if Lady Sarah has." "It never cost a farthing less than two hundred guineas," mused Gerard, turning the bracelet in various directions, that its rich diamonds might give out their gleaming light. "I wish it was mine." "What should you do with it?" laughed Alice. "Spout it." "I do not understand," returned Alice. She really did not. "I beg your pardon, Alice. I was thinking of the colloquial lingo familiarly applied to such transactions, instead of to whom I was talking. I mean raise money upon it." "Oh, Mr. Hope!" "Alice, that's twice you have called me 'Mr. Hope.' I thought I had been 'Gerard' to you for many a year." "Time changes things; and you seem more like a stranger than you used to," returned Alice, a flush rising to her sensitive face. "But you spoke of raising money: I hope you are not in temporary embarrassment." "A jolly good thing for me if it turns out only temporary," he rejoined. "Look at my position! Debts hanging over my head--for you may be sure, Alice, all young men, with a limited allowance and large expectations, contract debts--and thrust out of my uncle's home with just the loose cash I had in my pocket, and my clothes sent packing after me." "Has the colonel stopped your allowance?" Gerard Hope laid down the bracelet from whence he had taken it, before he replied. "He stopped it then; it's months ago, you know; and I have not had a shilling since, except from my own resources. I first went upon tick; then I disposed of my watch and chain and all my other little matters of value: and now I am upon tick again."