‘Thanks, Alfred,’ said Lewis; but he smiled inwardly, wondering how this shopkeeper brother’s support could be of any assistance to him. CHAPTER XIII. LEWIS’S FATE. The arrival of Lewis with Alfred Belassis at Ladywell that day, caused a considerable amount of speculation and astonishment. When, in addition, Lewis announced the fact that he had quarrelled with his father, and meant to return no more to Thornton House, quite a sensation was produced; and Miss Marjory did not hesitate to tell him that she considered he had judged wisely and well. ‘You shall stay here, old fellow,’ said Phil warmly, ‘till we can find you a berth of some kind; and don’t you be in any hurry. Give yourself plenty of time to look round; something good will be sure to turn up if you do. You’ve behaved like a brick about that money, and the least we can do is to make you some return.’ ‘The money wasn’t mine, as you all know,’ said Lewis. ‘I hope I know better than to profit by a low trick like that, even though my father was the one who practised it.’ ‘I think we ought to divide it,’ said Maud, ‘just in case papa did mean some of it for you.’ Miss Marjory had beckoned Alfred Belassis to her side. Mrs. Lorraine was standing near, looking anxious. She knew on what errand he had come. ‘Have you found out about your mother’s death?’ she asked in a low voice. ‘Yes; it was on the 2nd of May, 1850.’ Mrs. Lorraine drew a long breath of relief. ‘Well,’ said Miss Marjory, ‘I’m glad to hear it, for the sake of the innocent, who would suffer more than the guilty; but he drove it close enough. What a miserable coward he is!’ Alfred Belassis stood silent, looking and feeling rather awkward, in the midst of such a company. ‘I should like to speak a word to you in private, ma’am,’ he said, ‘if it isn’t troubling you too much. I ought to be getting back to Whitbury as fast as I can, now that I’ve done what you asked.’ ‘Come into this room, then,’ said Miss Marjory, opening a door which stood near. ‘Let me hear what it is you have to say.’ Belassis followed her in, and sat down at her bidding. He was a thick-set, clever-looking man, with more honesty than beauty to recommend him. ‘Well, Belassis,’ said Miss Marjory, ‘what is it?’ ‘If you please, ma’am, I want to know if I couldn’t be of some use to that young gentleman there, who is a sort of brother to me, after all.’ ‘Lewis, you mean? Well, I don’t know exactly how you could serve him. I’m afraid he would be little good to you as a partner.’ Alfred Belassis looked almost shocked. ‘Oh no, ma’am; of course I couldn’t think of such a thing. A young gentleman like him could never take to trade; it wouldn’t be right nor proper. I know better than that; but he’s had education, you know, and advantages of other kinds, and I’m thinking something might be found for him more suitable.’