“Yes, or at five hundred, either.” “I don’t want them for less than they are worth. I’ll give you eight hundred dollars.” “Oh, very well! I’ll take a thousand, if you prefer it.” “Will you send word to the young lady that you have made the sale, and request her to call at four o’clock and get the money?” “Certainly.” “And will you, besides, carefully conceal from her that I purchased the goods?” “Yes.” “And, further, will you relinquish all commissions on the sale?” “Well, I don’t know about that.” “Just as you like, Milford.” “Why should I do so?” “There is no reason, perhaps, why you should do it; so we’ll say no more about that.” “I’ll think of it, any how,” said the jeweler. “Very well; I’ll call and pay you for them before three o’clock.” And Albertson left the store and returned to his place of business. “He must have plenty of money to throw away,” said Milford to himself, as the young man retired. CHAPTER XIX. A DISAPPOINTMENT. The answer received by Albertson from Eunice, was promptly responded to, and the privilege of visiting her at her father’s house asked; but she replied, “Not yet. My father is in trouble, and doubt hangs over his business, small as it is. It requires all my efforts to inspire him with confidence. I do not wish him, just at this time, to think that my affections are divided. And, besides, your appearance may remind him too strongly of other and more prosperous days. A little while longer; only a little while longer. Misfortune is changing him, and the change is altogether favorable to our wishes.” Not long after this, an accidental meeting took place, in which Eunice made her lover clearly comprehend her position. Admiration for her filial virtues overcame, from that time, all impatience. “She will be the more fully mine,” he said; “and purer and brighter for the trials through which she has passed.” After that, they corresponded regularly, and occasionally met. While the fortunes of Mr. Townsend had rapidly declined, those of the young man he had treated so rudely had rapidly improved. The business of Jones, Claire, & Co. doubled itself in a single year, and had gone on increasing almost in a similar ratio. The interest in it held by Albertson was, therefore, a very profitable one. Two months after the last removal, Eunice noticed that her father had again become unusually serious. This led her to inquire of him as to the state of his business. “I have no reason to despond in regard to business,” he said, “taking all things into consideration. If I could only meet a payment of twelve hundred dollars that falls due in a few days, I believe every thing would go on smoothly enough. This is the last of my guarantied sales to the house, by the failure of which I lost ten thousand dollars. My name is on the note, and when it is returned protested, I must take it up. But how this is to be done, I cannot tell.”