Oh, cruelly kind! The moon was up now and threw its full radiance on her face as she turned to go. My eyes were speaking imploringly, but she persisted in ignoring their appeal. "You often come here?" "Oh, no! Sunday is my holiday; I am not so idle always. But mother loves to come here on Sundays. Ah, how I have neglected her to-day!" There was a world of self-reproach in her speech, and again she would have withdrawn her hand and gone. "One moment," said I, hoarsely. "Will you--can you--tell me your name?" There was a demure smile on her face as the moon kissed it, and-- "They call me Claire," she said. "Claire," I murmured, half to myself. "And yours?" she asked. "Jasper--Jasper Trenoweth." "Then good-bye, Mr. Jasper Trenoweth. Goodbye, and once more I thank you." She was gone; and standing stupid and alone I watched her graceful figure fade into the shadow and take with it the light and joy of my life. "Jasper," said Tom, as I lounged into our wretched garret, "have you ever known what it is to suffer from the responsibility of wealth? I do not mean a few paltry sovereigns; but do you know what it is to live with, say, three thousand four hundred and sixty-five pounds thirteen and sixpence on your conscience?" "No," I said; "I cannot say that I have. But why that extraordinary sum?" "Because that is the sum which has been hanging all day around me as a mill-stone. Because that is the exact amount which at present makes me fear to look my fellow-man in the face." I simply stared. "Jasper, you are singularly dense, or much success has turned your brain. Say, Jasper, that success has not turned your brain." "Not that I know of," I replied. "Very well, then," said Tom, stepping to the bed and pulling back the counterpane with much mystery. "Oblige me by counting this sum, first the notes, then the gold, and finally the silver. Or, if that is too much trouble, reflect that on this modest couch recline bank-notes for three thousand one hundred and twenty pounds, gold sovereigns to the number of three hundred and forty-two, whence by an easy subtraction sum we obtain a remainder of silver, in value three pounds thirteen and sixpence." "But, Tom, surely we never won all that?" "We did though, and may for the rest of our days settle down as comparatively honest medical students. So that I propose we have supper, and drink--for I have provided drink--to the Luck of the Golden Clasp." Stunned with the events of the last twenty-four hours, I sat down to table, but could scarcely touch my food. Tom's tongue went ceaselessly, now apologising for the fare, now entertaining imaginary guests, and always addressing me as a man of great wealth and property. "Jasper," he remarked at length, "either you are ill, or you must have been eating to excess all day." "Neither." "Do I gather that you wish to leave the table, and pursue your mortal foe up and down Oxford Street?" I shook my head.