"No; not in so many words. But he evidently likes her. What a good match it would be!" "Mina is too young to be married yet. And Captain Collinson cannot, I should suppose, have any intention of the sort. If he had, he would speak out: when it would be time enough to consider and discuss his proposal. Unless he does speak, I must beg of you not to allow Mina to be alone with him." "She never is alone with him." "I think she is, at odd moments. Only last night I saw her with him at the gate. Before that, while your soirée was going on, Dicky--I believe he could tell you so, if you asked him--saw them walking together in the garden, the captain's arm round her waist." "Girls are so fond of flirting! And young men think no harm of a little passing familiarity." "Just so. But for remembering this, I should speak to Captain Collinson. The thought that there may be nothing serious in it prevents me. At any rate, I beg of you to take care of Mina." "And the money I want?" she asked, as he took up his hat to go. But Dr. Knox, shortly repeating that he had no money to give her, made his escape. He had been ruffled enough already. One thing was certain: that if some beneficent sprite from fairyland increased Mrs. Knox's annual income cent. per cent. she would still, and ever, be in embarrassment. Arnold knew this. Mrs. Knox sat on, revolving difficulties. How many similar interviews she had held with her step-son, and how often he had been brought round to pay her bills, she could but remember. Would he do it now? A most unpleasant doubt, that he would not, lay upon her. Presently the entrance was darkened by some tall form interposing itself between herself and the sunlight. She glanced up and saw Captain Collinson. He stood there smiling, his tasselled cane jauntily swayed in his left hand. "My dear madam, you looked troubled. Is anything wrong?" "Troubled! the world's full of trouble, I think," spoke Mrs. Knox, in a pettish kind of way. "Dr. Knox has been here to vex me." Captain Collinson stepped airily in, and sat down near Mrs. Knox, his eyes expressing proper concern: indignation blended with sympathy. "Very inconsiderate of Dr. Knox: very wrong! Can I help you in any way, my dear lady?" "Arnold is always inconsiderate. First, he begins upon me about Dicky, threatening to put him altogether away at school, poor ill-used child! Next, he----" "Sweet little angel?" interlarded the captain. "Next, he refuses to lend me a trifling sum of money--and he knows how badly I want it!" "Paltry!" ejaculated the captain. "When he must be making so much of it!" "Rolling in it, so to say," confirmed Mrs. Knox. "Look at the practice he has! But if he did not give me any of his, he might advance me a trifle of Mina's." "Of course he might," warmly acquiesced Captain Collinson.