The boy was utterly unconscious that he was treading on delicate ground as he rattled on in his warmhearted, frank, and generous way. Totally oblivious that the very name of Ruthven must be unwelcome if not offensive to his listener, he laughed through a description of the affair, its thrilling episodes, and Mrs. Jack Ruthven's blind luck in the draw. "One moment," interrupted Selwyn, very gently; "do you mind saying whether you banked my check and drew against it?" "Why, no; I just endorsed it over." "To--to whom?--if I may venture--" "Certainly," he said, with a laugh; "to Mrs. Jack--" Then, in a flash, for the first time the boy realised what he was saying, and stopped aghast, scarlet to his hair. Selwyn's face had little colour remaining in it, but he said very kindly: "It's all right, Gerald; don't worry--" "I'm a beast!" broke out the boy; "I beg your pardon a thousand times." "Granted, old chap. But, Gerald, may I say one thing--or perhaps two?" "Go ahead! Give it to me good and plenty!" "It's only this: couldn't you and I see one another a little oftener? Don't be afraid of me; I'm no wet blanket. I'm not so very aged, either; I know something of the world--I understand something of men. I'm pretty good company, Gerald. What do you say?" "I say, _sure_!" cried the boy warmly. "It's a go, then. And one thing more: couldn't you manage to come up to the house a little oftener? Everybody misses you, of course; I think your sister is a trifle sensitive--" "I will!" said Gerald, blushing. "Somehow I've had such a lot on hand--all day at the office, and something on every evening. I know perfectly well I've neglected Eily--and everybody. But the first moment I can find free--" Selwyn nodded. "And last of all," he said, "there's something about my own affairs that I thought you might advise me on." Gerald, proud, enchanted, stood very straight; the older man continued gravely: "I've a little capital to invest--not very much. Suppose--and this, I need not add, is in confidence between us--suppose I suggested to Mr. Neergard--" "Oh," cried young Erroll, delighted, "that is fine! Neergard would be glad enough. Why, we've got that Valleydale tract in shape now, and there are scores of schemes in the air--scores of them--important moves which may mean--anything!" he ended, excitedly. "Then you think it would be all right--in case Neergard likes the idea?" Gerald was enthusiastic. After a while they shook hands, it being time to separate. And for a long time Selwyn sat there alone in the visitors' room, absent-eyed, facing the blazing fire of cannel coal. How to be friends with this boy without openly playing the mentor; how to gain his confidence without appearing to seek it; how to influence him without alarming him! No; there was no great harm in him yet; only the impulse of inconsiderate youth; only an enthusiastic capacity for pleasure.