“I used that unlucky phrase once before, George, and he replied, 'Why don't you cut down the estimates?'” “I know he did. The old curmudgeon meant I should sell Nora, and he has a son, a gentleman commoner at Cambridge, that spends more in wine-parties than our whole income.” “But it 's his own, George. It is not our money he is wasting.” “Of course it is not; but does that exempt him from all comment? Not that it matters to us, however,” added he, in a lighter tone. “Sit down, and try what you can do with the old fellow. You used to be a great pet of his once on a time.” “Yes, he went so far as to say that if I had even twenty thousand pounds, he did n't know a girl he 'd rather have for a daughter-in-law.” “He did n't tell you that, Ju?” said L'Estrange, growing almost purple with shame and rage together. “I pledge you my word he said it.” “And what did you say? What did you do?” “I wiped my eyes with my handkerchief, and told him it was for the first time in my life I felt the misery of being poor.” “And I wager that you burst out laughing.” “I did, George. I laughed till my sides ached. I laughed till he rushed out of the room in a fit of passion, and I declare, I don't think he ever spoke ten words to me after.” “This gives me scant hope of your chance of success with him.” “I don't know, George. All this happened ten months ago, when he came down here for the snipe-shooting. He may have forgiven, or better still, forgotten it. In any case, tell me exactly what I 'm to write, and I 'll see what I can do with him.” “You're to say that your brother has just heard from a person, in whom he places the most perfect confidence, say Harding in short--Colonel Bramleigh's agent--that an enterprise which will shortly be opened here offers an admirable opportunity of investment, and that as your small fortune in Consols--” “In what?” “No matter. Say that as your two thousand pounds--which now yield an interest of seventy, could secure you an income fully four times that sum, you hope he will give his consent to withdraw the money from the Funds, and employ it in this speculation. I 'd not say speculation, I 'd call it mine at once--coal-mine.” “But if I own this money, why must I ask Mr. Vickars' leave to make use of it as I please?” “He is your trustee, and the law gives him this power, Ju, till you are nineteen, which you will not be till May next.” “He'll scarcely be disagreeable, when his opposition must end in five months.” “That's what I think too, but before that five months run over the share list may be filled, and these debentures be probably double the present price.” “I 'm not sure I understand your reasoning, but I 'll go and write my letter, and you shall see if I have said all that you wished.” CHAPTER XIV. OFFICIAL CONFIDENCES.