"You made the offer some months ago, and I declined under advice of counsel, although my own wish was to accept it. Now, I have determined to act upon the dictate of my own judgment, and without consulting him." "You are too late, my friend," replied Harrison. "Your case isn't worth that!" snapping his fingers. "As far as right is concerned, you have no more claim upon my property than I have upon that of John Jacob Astor. To save trouble and vexation, I was willing to buy you off at your own price; but you refused to take your own stipulation, and now I mean to stand the issue. I suppose you are aware of the beautiful position in which your lawyer has placed your suit before the court?" "I am aware that your lawyer has taken exception to the terms of the bill; but I am not at all sure that the court will attach any weight to these exceptions. But, even if our bill is thrown out, it is an easy matter to amend it, and begin again." "Not so easy as you may imagine. I happen to know all about that. I rather think, after we settle you on the demurrer, that we shall hear no more about your claim." "Then you will not compromise?" "No, not for half the sum you name." "Good morning," said Malcolm, turning quickly away. "Good morning," and Harrison lifted his newspaper, and resumed its perusal. In due time the argument on the demurrer took place, and the court decided against the bill as informal. Malcolm was present during the contest, and could not help being struck with the weakness of his own counsel's position and arguments, and the tact, force, and ingenuity of the defence. He saw, before the matter was submitted to the court, that he would have but little chance; and he was not deceived. After the decision had been made, he called to see Dunbar, in no very happy frame of mind. "You must begin again," he said, peremptorily. "They never would have stopped at a demurrer, if they hadn't been afraid to try the case on its own merits." "Are you prepared to settle the costs?" asked the lawyer, coolly. "Because there is no beginning de novo until that is done." "How much are they?" "Somewhere in the neighborhood of fifteen hundred dollars." "Impossible!" "It is too true. The defence has done everything in its power to accumulate costs, and they are heavy. Under the most rigid taxation, they could not be reduced a hundred dollars." "Fifteen hundred dollars!" Malcolm's face was pale, and his lips trembled. "Then all is, indeed, hopeless! Mr. Dunbar!" he resumed, with some energy, after a brief pause, "in simple justice you ought to pay these costs, and resume the prosecution on an amended bill." "Ah! And why so?" There was something insulting in the attorney's manner, which aroused the feelings of his client. "You are to blame for losing the suit, and, in common justice, should make good what your ignorance or neglect has lost."