And Aubrey, opening the paper, found that it was a check for five hundred pounds. "I know what life in London costs," said Sir Oswald; "and you are my old friend's son." Five hundred pounds! He was compelled to look exceedingly grateful, but it was difficult. The gift was very welcome, but there was this great drawback attending it--it was not half sufficient to relieve him from his embarrassments, and it would quite prevent his asking Sir Oswald for a loan. He sighed deeply in his dire perplexity. Still smiling, the baronet went to the table where Pauline and Miss Hastings sat. He stood for some minutes looking at them. "I must not let you hear the news of my good fortune from strangers," he said; "it is only due to you that I should inform you that in one month from to-day I hope to have the honor and happiness of making Miss Elinor Rocheford my wife." Miss Hastings in a few cautious words wished him joy; Pauline's white lips opened, but no sound escaped them. Sir Oswald remained for some minutes talking to Miss Hastings, and then he crossed the room and rang the bell. "Pauline, my dearest child!" whispered the anxious governess. Miss Darrell looked at her with a terrible smile. "It would have been better for her," she said, slowly, "that she had never been born." "Pauline!" cried the governess. But she said no more. A footman entered the room, to whom Sir Oswald spoke. "Go to my study," he said, "and bring me a black ebony box that you will find locked in my writing-table. Here are the keys." The man returned in a few minutes, bearing the box in his hands. Sir Oswald took it to the table where the lamps shone brightly. "Aubrey," he said, "will you come here? I have a commission for you." Captain Langton followed him to the table, and some remark about the fashion of the box drew the attention of all present to it. Sir Oswald raised the lid, and produced a diamond ring. "You are going over to Audleigh Royal to-morrow, Aubrey," he said; "will you leave this with Stamford, the jeweler? I have chosen a new setting for the stone. I wish to present it to Miss Hastings as a mark of my deep gratitude to her." Miss Hastings looked up in grateful wonder. Sir Oswald went on talking about the contents of the ebony box. He showed them many quaint treasures that it contained; among other things he took out a roll of bank-notes. "That is not a very safe method of keeping money, Sir Oswald," said Miss Hastings. "No, you are right," he agreed. "Simpson's clerk paid it to me the other day; I was busy, and I put it there until I had time to take the numbers of the notes." "Do you keep notes without preserving a memorandum of their numbers, Sir Oswald?" inquired Aubrey Langton. "That seems to me a great risk." "I know it is not prudent; but there is no fear. I have none but honest and faithful servants about me. I will take the numbers and send the notes to the bank to-morrow."