"Ha--ha--ha! come, come!" cried Sir Harry, touching his friend in the side with the gold knob of his cane, "how innocent we are;" and, taking Sir Matthew's arm, they strolled on towards the pier. "I didn't ask you who the note was for that we left at Mother Clode's," said Sir Matthew sulkily. "No; neither did I ask you where yours came from--you Goliath of foxes," laughed Sir Harry. "But I say. 'Fore George, it was on mourning paper, and was scented with musk. Ha--ha--ha!" Sir Matthew scowled and grumbled, but the next moment the incident was forgotten, and both gentlemen were raising their ugly beaver hats to first one and then another of the belles they passed. Meanwhile the britzka was driven on along the Parade, and drew up at the house of the Master of the Ceremonies, where the footman descended from his seat beside the coachman, and brought envious lodging-letters to the windows on either side by his tremendous roll of the knocker and peal at the bell. Isaac appeared directly. Yes, Miss Denville was in, so the steps were rattled down, and Mrs Frank Burnett descended lightly, rustled up to the front door, and entered with all the hauteur of one accustomed to a large income and carriage calling. "Ah, Claire darling!" she cried, as she was shown into the drawing-room; "how glad I shall be to see you doing this sort of thing. Really, you know, it is time." "Ah, May dear," said Claire, kissing her sister affectionately, but with a grave pained look in her eyes, "I am so glad to see you. I was wishing you would come. Papa will be so disappointed: he has gone up the town to see the tailor about Morton." "What, does that boy want new clothes again? Papa did not say so." "Have you seen him, then?" "Yes. How well he looks. But why did you want to see me?" For answer Claire took her sister's hand, led her to the chintz-covered sofa, and seated herself beside her, with her arm round May's waist. "Oh, do be careful, Claire," said Mrs Burnett pettishly; "this is my lute-string. And, my dear, how wretchedly you do dress in a morning." "It is good enough for home, dear, and we are obliged to be so careful. May dear, I hardly like to ask you, but could you spare me a guinea or two?" "Spare you a guinea or two? Why, bless the child! what can you want with a guinea or two?" "I want it for Morton. There are several things he needs so much, and I want besides to be able to let him have a little pocket-money when he asks." "Oh, really, I cannot, Claire. It is quite out of the question. Frank keeps me so dreadfully short. You would never believe what trouble I have to get a few guineas from him when I am going out, and there is so much play now that one is compelled to have a little to lose. But I must be off. I have some shopping to do, and a call or two to make besides. Then there is a book to get at Miss Clode's. I won't ask you to come for a drive this morning."