'Yes, yes, I know; but I thought only of you. I have such news for you! You will and must pardon my coming--that's my first thought, sensitive darling that you are!' She kissed him fondly. 'Juliana Bonner is in town, staying with us!' 'Is that your news?' asked Evan, pressing her against his breast. 'No, dear love--but still! You have no idea what her fortune-- Mrs. Bonner has died and left her--but I mustn't tell you. Oh, my darling! how she admires you! She--she could recompense you; if you would! We will put that by, for the present. Dear! the Duke has begged you, through me, to accept--I think it 's to be a sort of bailiff to his estates--I don't know rightly. It's a very honourable post, that gentlemen take: and the income you are to have, Evan, will be near a thousand a year. Now, what do I deserve for my news?' She put up her mouth for another kiss, out of breath. 'True?' looked Evan's eyes. 'True!' she said, smiling, and feasting on his bewilderment. After the bubbling in his brain had a little subsided, Evan breathed as a man on whom fresh air is blown. Were not these tidings of release? His ridiculous pride must nevertheless inquire whether Caroline had been begging this for him. 'No, dear--indeed!' Caroline asserted with more than natural vehemence. 'It's something that you yourself have done that has pleased him. I don't know what. Only he says, he believes you are a man to be trusted with the keys of anything--and so you are. You are to call on him to- morrow. Will you?' While Evan was replying, her face became white. She had heard the Major's voice in the shop. His military step advanced, and Caroline, exclaiming, 'Don't let me see him!' bustled to a door. Evan nodded, and she slipped through. The next moment he was facing the stiff marine. 'Well, young man,' the Major commenced, and, seating himself, added, 'be seated. I want to talk to you seriously, sir. You didn't think fit to wait till I had done with the Directors today. You're devilishly out in your discipline, whatever you are at two and two. I suppose there's no fear of being intruded on here? None of your acquaintances likely to be introducing themselves to me?' 'There is not one that I would introduce to you,' said Evan. The Major nodded a brief recognition of the compliment, and then, throwing his back against the chair, fired out: 'Come, sir, is this your doing?' In military phrase, Evan now changed front. His first thought had been that the Major had come for his wife. He perceived that he himself was the special object of his visitation. 'I must ask you what you allude to,' he answered. 'You are not at your office, but you will speak to me as if there was some distinction between us,' said the Major. 'My having married your sister does not reduce me to the ranks, I hope.' The Major drummed his knuckles on the table, after this impressive delivery.