’I gave it to my father and sister,’ answered Charles. ’I’ve occasioned them some expense, and I thought I’d make it up to them whilst I could.’ ’That was mighty liberal of you,’ sneered Mrs. Veale. ’I am liberal, pretty free-handed with my money. It comes of my blood.’ ’Ah!’ said the housekeeper, ’and I reckon now you’ll be wanting more.’ ’I could do with more,’ replied young Luxmore, ’but I will not trouble you.’ ’Oh! it’s no trouble,’ said Mrs. Veale, ’I know very well that lending to you is safe as putting into the Bank of England. You must have your own some day, and when you’re squire you won’t see me want.’ ’Rely on me, I will deal most generously with you. I shall not forget your kindness, Mrs. Veale.’ ’But,’ said the woman slyly, eyeing him, ’I can’t find you as much as you require. You can’t spin more out of me than my own weight, as the silkworm said. I’ve put aside my little savings. But as you see, the master don’t pay freely. He gives you only ninepence, and me——’ she shrugged her shoulders. ’If I were in your place,’ she went on, after a pause, ’I should be tempted to borrow a hundred or so, and go to Physick the lawyer with it, and say, help me to Coombe Park, and when I’ve that, I’ll give you a hundred more.’ ’Who’d lend me the money? You have not so much.’ ’No, I have not so much.’ ’What other person would trust me?’ ’The money might be had.’ ’Others don’t see my prospects as you do.’ ’I’d be inclined to borrow wi’out asking,’ said the housekeeper cautiously. She was as one feeling her way; she kept her eyes on Charles as she talked. Charles started. He knew her meaning. ’How dare you suggest such a thing!’ he said in a low tone, looking at her uneasily. ’Curse you! Don’t wink at me with your white lashes that way, you make me uneasy.’ ’I only suggested it,’ said Mrs. Veale, turning her head aside. ’I reckon no harm would be done. The master don’t know how much he has in his box. We had it out t’other day between us, and counted. There be over a thousand pounds there. Do y’ think he counts it every week? Not he. Who’d know? The money would be put back, and wi’ interest, six, seven, ten per cent., if you liked, when you’d got Coombe Park.’ ’Have done,’ said Luxmore with nervous irritation; ’I’m no thief, and never could become one.’ ’Who asked you to be one? Not I. I said as how you might become his banker for a hundred pounds. The bank gives but three per cent., and you would give nine. Who’d be the loser? Not master. He’d gain nine pounds without knowing it—and wouldn’t he crow!’ Charles Luxmore caught his hat and stood up. ’Where be you going to?’ asked Mrs. Veale. ’I cannot stand this,’ he said in an agitated voice. ’You torment me. You put notions into me that won’t let me sleep, that make me miserable. I shall go.’