At the Carraway fête the Misses Jericho made, and improved, the acquaintance of the Hon. Mr. Candytuft, and of an incredible idiot, Sir Arthur Homadod. The idiot was as beautiful as he was foolish; he was therefore handsome beyond the dreams of beauty. Whatever had taken the place of the mind in the baronet was impressed by Miss Agatha Pennibacker, and that virgin's heart being free, she lost it to Sir Arthur. The Hon. Mr. Candytuft, having an eye to the enormous fortune supposed to be possessed by Mr. Jericho, and being desirous to secure the portion of it that would of course fall to his step-daughter, made love to Miss Monica with considerable success. In the meantime the ladies wish to go to Court; in this they are encouraged by Candytuft; and, to enable them to make a proper figure there, costly jewels are required. To Candytuft and Jericho enter Mrs. J., "with a magnificent suite of jewels. "'Aren't they beautiful, my dear Solomon?' said she.... "'You know, my dear,' said Mrs. Jericho, in her sweetest, most convincing voice, 'it would be impossible to go to Court without diamonds. One isn't dressed without diamonds.' "'Court!' Jericho opened his eyes, and a wan smile broke on his thin, blank cheek. 'Are you going to Court?' "'Why, of course--are we not, dear Mr. Candytuft? What would be thought of us if we did not pay our homage to----' "The sentence was broken by the sudden appearance of Monica and Agatha, each bearing a jewel-case, and looking radiant with the possession. "'Thank you, dear papa,' said Monica, curtseying and smiling her best to Jericho. "'They're beautiful. Thank you--dear, dearest papa,' cried the more impulsive Agatha. "'Look!' said Monica, and she exhibited her treasure. "'Look!' cried Agatha, and she half dropped upon one knee, on the other side, to show her jewels. "'Beautiful!' cried Candytuft. 'Pray, ladies, don't stir.' "The girls, with pretty wonder on their faces, kept their positions on either side of Jericho. "'My dear madam'--and Candytuft appealed to Mrs. Jericho--'is not this a delightful group--an exquisite family picture? It ought to be painted.'" [Illustration: _A Family Picture._] Mr. Candytuft is right. The graceful figures of the girls, the attenuated figure of papa, in whose hopeless expression one sees the dread of further attenuation, together with his own perfect presentment, would make--indeed, does make--an admirable picture. The jewels cost one thousand pounds: ten calls have to be made upon the supernatural bank. They are made, and the jeweller is paid. And the result! For some minutes after the departure of the tradesman Jericho sat motionless--all but breathless. He would, however, know his fate. He took out the silk lace with which an hour ago he had measured his chest. Again he passed it round his body. He had drawn upon the bank, and he had shrunk an inch.