"My poor boy," said Clarice, mournfully; "I am not angry, but only sorry for your weakness. But I am forced to be strong, since I have to deal with a reed. I shall take these"--she reached for the bills--"and they will be paid, as soon as I can arrange--on conditions." "Conditions." Ferdy began to gloom again. "What conditions?" "Firstly, that you have nothing more to do with Zara Dumps. I am quite sure that she has led you into spending money." "There's nothing wrong about her," grumbled Ferdy, wincing; "Zara is perfectly respectable." "I dare say, seeing that I have heard how she wishes to make a good marriage. All the same, she is not averse to making use of you to amuse her, and her amusements are expensive. You must give her up." "Oh, I'm quite agreeable," said Ferdy, readily; then added, in a most candid manner, "the fact is, Clarry, I must give her up, as she has chucked me." "I see," said Clarice, rather disgusted, "you make a virtue of necessity. Still, so long as you give her up, I don't ask for your reason." "Well, then, you have it without asking," retorted Ferdy, airily; "and the other condition?" "You must marry Prudence Clarke in two months--that will be a sufficiently long time after Uncle Henry's death, and I want you to be settled as soon as possible." Ferdy looked at her very straightly, and then dropped his eyes on the carpet. "I'll marry Prudence, if she'll marry me." "She's engaged to you; she loves you." "As I said before, her father--" "I'll interview Mr. Clarke," interrupted Miss Baird, quickly. "He was delighted when your engagement was announced, and I do not see why he should change his mind. If he refuses to permit the marriage--" "Yes!" said Ferdy, hastily, "if he refuses." "You must agree to live with me in London for two years--that is until you get your money." "I don't know what Jerce will say." "Say? What should he say? You are not bound to him in any way." "No. But he is famous, and can help me a lot when I become a doctor." "Rely on your own brains, Ferdy," said Clarice, quickly, "and not on the patronage of any influential person. Besides, you can attend your classes, and to your studies all the same, while we live together." "Very well," assented the boy, sullenly, "if you don't pull the strings too tightly." "Of the money bags, do you mean?" asked Clarice, smiling. "You need have no fear, Ferdy; I am not stingy." "You're a good sort, Clarry," said her brother with sudden emotion. "I-I--I'll do whatever you like, and--and I'll always come to you in trouble, dear." Hastily kissing her, he fairly ran out of the room, leaving Clarice much puzzled. She had rarely seen Ferdy so moved, and wondered why he had left so suddenly. Clarice may have been unduly suspicious, but she did not think that the new epoch was opening auspiciously. And yet, so far, she had got everything her own way. CHAPTER XIV PRUDENCE