“But this is not to the purpose,” continued Cuthbert. “A thousand pounds, uncle, with the estate of Allenders, and myself for your securities. I am getting on myself--I shall soon have a tolerable business, I assure you, though this absence may put some of it in jeopardy. Give me my boon now, and let me hurry back to my office--a thousand pounds--and of course you will not accept any interest for a few years.” Mr. Buchanan sighed. “It is a very unbusiness-like transaction, Cuthbert,” said the merchant. “But not the first unbusiness-like transaction you have carried to a good end,” said Cuthbert, warmly. “Take comfort, uncle; the Christian charity and the natural love, will hold out longer than business. And now you have given me your promise, I must say three words to my aunt and Clemie, and ask you to let Robert drive me back again. I must be home to-morrow morning at my work.” And travelling by night, in the disconsolate stage-coach was nothing like so satisfactory as an express-train--yet Cuthbert went home, very comfortably; and very comfortably did the slumber of an unencumbered mind, and a charitable heart, fall over Mr. Buchanan, though still he shook his head at his own weakness, and was slightly ashamed to make a memorandum of so unbusiness-like a concern. CHAPTER XVII. “A bankrupt, a prodigal who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto; a beggar, that was used to come so smug on the mart. Let him look to his bond. He was wont to call me usurer: let him look to his bond. He was wont to lend money for a Christian charity; let him look to his bond.”--MERCHANT OF VENICE. A FEW days after this, Martha came to Edinburgh according to her appointment, to meet Harry’s principal creditor, accompanied by Uncle Sandy who, “with all the bairns,” as he said, was to return home to Ayr whenever he was freed from his attendance on Martha. The meeting was arranged to take place in Lindsay’s office, and Martha carried with her the half-year’s interest payable to this creditor. It was the last of his own four thousand pounds.