I was considerably surprised at the cool way in which she received the communication, but of course I gave the necessary directions. "Is there any thing to be done?" she asked, after a pause. "I know of nothing," I answered. Again she sat silent for a few minutes. "One can't move without knowing all the circumstances and particulars," she said at length. "And how to get at them? He wouldn't make a confidante of _me_," she said, smiling sadly. "Ah! you little think what vast sums are concerned in such a failure as his!" I remarked, astounded that one with her knowledge of the world should talk as she did. "It will be best," she said, after still another pause, "to go to Mr. Blackstone. He has a wonderful acquaintance with business for a clergyman, and knows many of the city people." "What could any clergyman do in such a case?" I returned. "For Mr. Blackstone, Mr. Morley would not accept even consolation at his hands." "The time for that is not come yet," said Marion. "We must try to help him some other way first. We will, if we can, make friends with him by means of the very Mammon that has all but ruined him." She spoke of the great merchant just as she might of Richard, or any of the bricklayers or mechanics, whose spiritual condition she pondered that she might aid it. "But what could Mr. Blackstone do?" I insisted. "All I should want of him would be to find out for me what Mr. Morley's liabilities are, and how much would serve to tide him over the bar of his present difficulties. I suspect he has few friends who would risk any thing for him. I understand he is no favorite in the city; and, if friendship do not come in, he must be stranded. You believe him an honorable man,--do you not?" she asked abruptly. "It never entered my head to doubt it," I replied. The moment we reached Cambridge Square she jumped out, ran up the steps, and knocked at the door. I waited, wondering if she was going to leave me thus without a farewell. When the door was opened, she merely gave a message to the man, and the same instant was again in the cab by my side. "Now I am free!" she said, and told the man to drive to Mile End. "I fear I can't go with you so far, Marion," I said. "I must go home--I have so much to see to, and you can do quite as well without me. I don't know what you intend, but _please_ don't let any thing come out. I can trust _you_, but"-- "If you can trust me, I can trust Mr. Blackstone. He is the most cautious man in the world. Shall I get out, and take another cab?" "No. You can drop me at Tottenham Court Road, and I will go home by omnibus. But you must let me pay the cab." "No, no; I am richer than you: I have no children. What fun it is to spend money for Mr. Morley, and lay him under an obligation he will never know!" she said, laughing.