"Well, my boy, I don't know about that, there's nothing like taking time by the forelock. Why, how old are you, Mike?" "I shall be twenty-four my next birthday," said the young man. "Well," said the major; "many a man has married before then, and done none the worse." "And a great many have ruined their lives by marrying too young," said Reid. "Besides, I am only a lieutenant, father; I ought not to think of such a thing until I get my captaincy." Major Reid looked attentively at his son. "The fact is, Michael," he said, "you ought to marry money. Of course, to engage yourself to a girl who has not plenty of money would be sheer madness." Michael Reid looked at his father with a twinkle in his grey eye. He had quite a nice face, although it was very worldly. He could read through the old man's thoughts at the present moment as though they were spread before him on an open page. "What are you thinking of, dad?" he said. "Out with it, whatever it is." "This," said the Major, colouring as he spoke; "those two girls have come back to Mrs Fortescue's. Florence is remarkably pretty. They must both be exceedingly well off. I spoke to Mrs Fortescue the other day, and she told me that she doesn't know the extent of their fortune, but believes it to be something quite considerable. In fact, I should imagine from the way they have been brought up, that they must have something which runs into at least four figures a year. Now, the moment such girls go into society, they will be surrounded by adventurers, men who wish to secure them simply for the sake of their money. You, my dear boy, I understand, have already paid attentions to Florence, and why not carry them on? This is your chance; she is an exceedingly attractive girl: in fact, she is a beauty. She will be rich. At present you are not supposed to know anything about her fortune; but if it comes as a surprise, why, so much the better." Lieutenant Reid, of His Majesty's --th, thought of certain debts he had incurred, debts which if he explained their full significance to his father, would ruin the old man. He sat silent for a time, thinking. "When last I saw Florence," he said, after a minute's pause, "she was just a pretty little hoyden of a girl; but, as you say, we were always good friends. Did you say they were still with Mrs Fortescue?" "Of course they are," said Major Reid, tapping his foot impatiently. "Don't they always spend their holidays with her? But they are leaving school now, in fact, they have left school. Mrs Fortescue quite expects to go to London with them in order to take them into the gay world. If ever you have a chance, it is now; and if I were you, I would make the best of it." Michael Reid was silent, but he broke a piece of toast, and ate it reflectively. His father saw that he need say no more, and after a minute's pause left the room.