“It was certainly neat, my Lord.” “It was more, Cutty; it was deep,--downright deep. I saw where the idiosyncrasy stopped, and where the dividends came in.” Cutbill smiled an approving smile, and his Lordship turned to the glass over the chimney-piece and looked admiringly at himself. “Was it twenty thousand you said?” asked he, indolently. “Yes, my Lord, twenty. Her father will probably give her as much more. Harding told me yesterday that all the younger children are to have share and share alike,--no distinction made between sons and daughters.” “So that she 'll have what a Frenchman would call 'un million de dot.'” “Just about what we want, my Lord, to start our enterprise.” “Ah, yes. I suppose that would do; but we shall do this by a company, Cutty. Have you said anything to Bramleigh yet on the subject?” “Nothing further than what I told you yesterday. I gave him the papers with the surveys and the specifications, and he said he 'd look over them this morning, and that I might drop in upon him to-night in the library after ten. It is the time he likes best for a little quiet chat.” “He seems a very cautious, I 'd almost say a timid man.” “The city men are all like that, my Lord. They 're always cold enough in entering on a project, though they'll go rashly on after they've put their money in it.” “What's the eldest son?” “A fool,--just a fool. He urged his father to contest a county, to lay a claim for a peerage. They lost the election and lost their money; but Augustus Bramleigh persists in thinking that the party are still their debtors.” “Very hard to make Ministers believe that,” said Culduff, with a grin. “A vote in the House is like a bird in the hand. The second fellow, Temple, is a poor creature.” “Ain't he? Not that he thinks so.” “No; they never do,” said Culduff, caressing his whiskers, and looking pleasantly at himself in the glass. “They see one or two men of mark in their career, and they fancy--Heaven knows why--that they must be like them; that identity of pursuit implies equality of intellect; and so these creatures spread out their little sails, and imagine they are going to make a grand voyage.” “But Miss Bramleigh told me yesterday you had a high opinion of her brother Temple.” “I believe I said so,” said he, with a soft smile. “One says these sort of things every day, irresponsibly, Cutty, irresponsibly, just as one gives his autograph, but would think twice before signing his name on a stamped paper.” Mr. Cutbill laughed at this sally, and seemed by the motion of his lips as though he were repeating it to himself for future retail; but in what spirit, it would not be safe perhaps to inquire.