"I shall be very glad to loan you the fifty pounds you require to make up the five hundred for the purchase of Parson's Provincial and London Bank Shares. But I am afraid I cannot definitely promise an advance of five hundred on the securities you name. That promise was conditional, and you must give me a little time to consider the matter. Meanwhile I will make inquiries; but, speaking off-hand, I should say that, owing to the present general depreciation of stock, it would be highly unadvisable for you to sell out, and my advice to you would be: Hold on to everything you've got. "I am very glad you are pleased with your little house. We will let the matter of the rent stand over till your affairs are rather more in order than they are at present.--With kindest regards, very sincerely yours, "HORATIO BYSSHE WADDINGTON. "P.S.--I have settled with Palmer and Hoskins for the trellis and hot water rail." "_To_ Messrs. Lawson & Rutherford, Solicitors, "9, Bedford Row, London, W.C. "Dear Sirs,--Will you kindly advise me as to the current value of the following shares--namely: "Fifty L5 5 per cent. New South American Rubber Syndicate; "Fifty L10 10 per cent. B Preference Addison Railway, Nicaragua; "One hundred L1 4 per cent. Welbeck Mutual Assurance Society. "Would you recommend the holder to sell out at present prices? And should I be justified in accepting these shares as security for an immediate loan of five hundred?--Faithfully yours, "HORATIO BYSSHE WADDINGTON." He was expecting Elise for tea at four o'clock on Wednesday, and Messrs. Lawson and Rutherford's reply reached him very opportunely that afternoon. "Dear Sir,--_Re_ your inquiry in your letter of the twenty-fifth instant, as to the current value of 5 per cent. New South American Rubber Syndicate Shares, 10 per cent. B Preference Addison Railway, and 4 per cent. Welbeck Mutual Assurance Society, respectively, we beg to inform you that these stocks are seriously depreciated, and we doubt whether at the present moment the holder would find a purchaser. We certainly cannot advise you to accept them as security for the sum you name.--We are, faithfully, "Lawson & Rutherford."