"Nonsense! You can have a bed here. We'll go and have a bit of dinner somewhere, and chat matters over afterwards. I may perhaps be able to help you." "With something out of the tintry-cum-fuldicum bottle?" "I have a good many friends; but there's no hurry. We shall see?" Claud reached over, and gripped Leigh's hand. "Thankye, old chap," he said. "It's very good of you, but I'm not going to quarter myself on you. If you have any interest, though, and could get me something to go to abroad, I should be glad. Busy now, I suppose?" "Yes, I have patients to see. Be with me at six, and we'll go somewhere. Only mind, you will sleep here while you are in town. I want to help you, and to be able to put my hand on you at once." The result was that Claud stayed three days with his friend; and on the third Leigh had a letter at breakfast from his sister, enclosing one from Mrs Wilton to her son, whose address she did not know, but thought perhaps he might have called upon Leigh. "Eh? News from home?" said Claud, taking the note, and glancing eagerly at Leigh's letter the while. "I say, how is she?" "My sister? Quite well," said Leigh, dryly. Claud sighed, and opened his own letter. "Poor old mater! she's such a dear old goose; she's about worrying herself to death about me, and--what!--oh, I say. Here, Leigh! Hurrah! There is life in a mussel after all." "What do you mean?" "Why, hark here. You know I told you that Kate had got her lawyer down there?" "Yes," said Leigh, frowning slightly. "Well, God bless her for the dearest and best girl that ever breathed! She has arranged to clear off every one of the guv'nor's present liabilities by taking over the mortgages, or whatever they are. The mater don't understand, but she says it's a family arrangement; and what do you think she says?" Leigh shook his head. "That she is sure that her father would not have seen his brother come to want God bless her. What a girl. Leigh, it's all over with you now. Intense admiration for her noble cousin, Claud, and--confound it, old fellow, don't look at me! I feel as if I should choke." He went hurriedly to the window, and stood looking out for some minutes, before coming back to where Leigh sat gravely smoking his cigar. Claud Wilton's eyes had a peculiarly weak look in them as he stood by Jenny's brother, and his voice sounded strange. "I'm going down by the next train," he said. "This means the work at home going on as usual, and I shan't be a beggar now, Leigh. I say, old man, I am going to act the true man by hier. I may speak right out to her now?" "Whatever had happened I should not have objected, for sooner or later I know you would have made her a home." Claud nodded. "And look here," he cried, "why not come down with me? Kate would be delighted to see you. Only you wouldn't bring Jenny back?"