Wilkins watched him anxiously, and then, as though Guly were the elder, instead of the younger brother, he sought him for a consultation. He was busy with a customer, and Wilkins noticed that he was displaying some of Blanche's new work, and wondered whether it was that, or interest in his brother's behalf, which brought such a bright glow to his cheek. "It is very beautiful," said the lady who was buying, examining one of the collars closely, "Very beautiful; is that your lowest, Master Pratt?" "The very lowest, Madame. I have been gratified in being able to show these articles to you _first_. They are quite new, and I know how well you like the first choice." "No one else, then, has bought from these before?" "No, Madame." "It is high, but I'll take it." "Yes, Madame." As the lady left the store, Guly turned to Wilkins, with a bright smile: "You see I have kept my promise to Blanche, and have sold her work to a 'choice customer.'" "I see," said Wilkins. "A word with you, Guly." Guly stepped toward him. "Arthur has--" "Poor Arthur! true enough! how could I forget him; what was the matter, Wilkins? I have been so busy, you know." "He has got into sad trouble; I feel very sorry for him; but I can't help him an iota, that I see; it's too bad, I declare." Wilkins then gave Guly the details, as far as he knew them, of Arthur's misfortune. "Well, Mr. Wilkins, this is outrageous!" exclaimed Guly, with a vehemence unusual to him. "It would require the virtue and forbearance of a saint to bear up under such things. It isn't the money so much, though I'm very sorry he lost it, but it is his good name; to have that sullied, even in thought! It is enough to drive any one to desperation." "Don't tell Arthur so, for the world," said Wilkins, very earnestly. "No, no, I'll not--can I go to him?" "Of course." "Dear Arthur," said Guly, beckoning his brother a little one side, "I know all. You know how I sympathize with you, my brother; but cheer up, we can live through it all; and you will be, in the end, thoroughly acquitted of what Mr. Delancey suspects you of, even in his own heart. The only way to convince him of his error, is to show him by your future course how much such an act would be beneath you." "Oh, there's no use, Guly; I never could convince such a flint-hearted man in the world, of my innocence, if he chose to think me guilty. I was horrified at first, but I've thought of it, and thought of it, till I don't care much. It's my fate, I suppose." "Don't give up in this way, Arthur; think of your own proud self, of how much depends upon you, of our dear mother, and all that. Don't allow yourself to be crushed." "Guly, just think of it--a _thief_!" "Only so in the opinion of one who will not reflect upon it long enough to see its utter impossibility." "And all this year's labor lost, Guly; and nothing to send home now to mother." "We'll try what we can do with _my_ salary, Arthur."