"I beg your pardon," said the visitor. "Mr. Waters! Is it possible?" cried Colville, feeling something fateful in the chance. "I was just going to see you." "I'm fortunate in meeting you, then. Shall we go to my room?" he asked, at a hesitation in Colville's manner. "No, no," said the latter; "come in here." He led the way back into his room, and struck a match to light the candles on his chimney. Their dim rays fell upon the disorder his packing had left. "You must excuse the look of things," he said. "The fact is, I'm just going away. I'm going to Rome at seven o'clock." "Isn't this rather sudden?" asked the minister, with less excitement than the fact might perhaps have been expected to create in a friend. "I thought you intended to pass the winter in Florence." "Yes, I did--sit down, please--but I find myself obliged to cut my stay short. Won't you take off your coat?" he asked, taking off his own. "Thank you; I've formed the habit of keeping it on indoors," said Mr. Waters. "And I oughtn't to stay long, if you're to be off so soon." Colville gave a very uncomfortable laugh. "Why, the fact is, I'm not off so very soon unless you help me." "Ah?" returned the old gentleman, with polite interest. "Yes, I find myself in the absurd position of a man who has reckoned without his host. I have made all my plans for going, and have had my hotel bill sent to me in pursuance of that idea, and now I discover that I not only haven't money enough to pay it and get to Rome, but I haven't much more than half enough to pay it. I have credit galore," he said, trying to give the situation a touch of liveliness, "but the bank is shut." Mr. Waters listened to the statement with a silence concerning which Colville was obliged to form his conjectures. "That is unfortunate," he said sympathetically, but not encouragingly. Colville pushed on desperately. "It is, unless you can help me, Mr. Waters. I want you to lend me fifty dollars for as many hours." Mr. Waters shook his head with a compassionate smile. "I haven't fifty francs in cash. You are welcome to what there is. I'm very forgetful about money matters, and haven't been to the bankers." "Oh, don't excuse yourself to me, unless you wish to embitter my shame. I'm obliged to you for offering to share your destitution with me. I must try to run my face with the landlord," said Colville. "Oh no," said Mr. Waters gently. "Is there such haste as all that?" "Yes, I must go at once." "I don't like to have you apply to a stranger," said the old man, with fatherly kindness. "Can't you remain over till Monday? I had a little excursion to propose." "No, I can't possibly stay; I must go to-night," cried Colville.