’Can’t help that, lieutenant, I want money. You saw sweet Sampy and me engaged on some plans when you came into the room. Well, we are in for a venture, and shall want money to carry it out.’ ’What the Countess proposes——’ ’Oh, blow your Countesses,’ said young Tramplara, putting his head in, and then following with his body. ’There are no Countesses in this shop. The lady yonder is Miss Strange, only daughter and heiress to James Strange, Esquire, of Bahia, Brazil.’ ’Shut your trap, Sampy,’ said his father. ’No impertinence here. Manners before ladies of the tip-top aristocracy, please. What do you say, sir, about the proposal of the Countess?’ ’I decline to discuss this matter before your son,’ said Herring, indignantly. ’It in no way concerns him, and he was not invited to be present.’ ’The business is Trampleasure and Son,’ said young Sampson. ’The firm bears that name throughout the county.’ ’But the firm has nothing to do with the affairs of the Countess Mirelle Garcia.’ ’Oh! I beg pardon,’ said the young man. ’The trustees and guardians of her ladyship are Trampleasure and Herring—more correctly, Herring and Trampleasure.’ ’I have no further right to interfere,’ said Herring, with difficulty retaining his composure, ’than as spokesman for the Countess, who has empowered me to act in her name. Have I your authority for what I say and do, Countess?’ He turned to Mirelle. ’My full authority,’ she answered. ’I have requested you to speak my wishes in this matter to Mr. Trampleasure. As for his son, I must request him to efface himself, and not to trouble his head with my affairs.’ ’Go, Sampy,’ said his father. ’Good angels attend you.’ The young man withdrew sullenly. ’Now then, Lieutenant Herring, I am at your service.’ ’The Countess wishes that her money, left in your hands as trustee, may be invested in the mortgages on the West Wyke estate. These mortgages you hold. Five thousand pounds are owing to you, and you are in immediate need of the money. Take five thousand of her money, and transfer to her the claims on West Wyke.’ ’Oh, ah! When is she likely to get her interest? You had to help the Squire out of one hobble, and he will be dropping into another shortly.’ ’I can answer for it that the interest will be paid punctually and in full.’ ’I don’t approve of the investment. I don’t regard it as sound.’ ’I wish it,’ said Mirelle. ’My dear pet and pearl of the aristocracy,’ said the old man, ’I am solely responsible for what is done with the money. I must look after your interest in the matter. Why, if I yielded to your request, you would get only four and a half for your money, and I can assure you of seven.’ ’She would prefer the smaller sum on this security than the larger on one more risky.’