Mildred Arkell, (Vol 3 of 3)

a fraction of money out of his pocket for any mortal client, unless the repayment was as safe and sure as the Bank of England. He had deemed

e lawyer would have definitely concluded that it had never been there, in spite of Mr. Omer and his pencilled names. He went tearing over to Mynn and Mynn's in a fine state of excitement, could see neither Mr. Mynn nor Mr. George Mynn, hired a gig at Eckford, and drove over to Mr. Mynn's house, two miles dista

egister! If you were in your senses, and I had the use of my legs, I'd kick you out of my house for your impud

and I, and the rector," debated Mr. Fauntleroy, wi

dful twinge just then. "It seems-if this story of yours is true-that I nev

not think Mynn and Mynn had been culpable, only in

" he said. "So would you be, had you been played the trick. I wish

was that the letter despatched to you-to you, Mr. Fauntleroy, and which letter it seems you kept to yourself, and gave us no notice of-had not served to put an end to the cause. Naturally I and my brother inquired what letter Mr. Littelby alluded to, and what were its contents, and then he told us that it was a letter written by Robert Carr, of Holland, stating that the marriage had taken place at the church of St. James the Less, and that its record would be found entered on the register. My impression at the first moment was-and it was George's very strongly-

se as he came, and sought the house of Mr. Wilberforce. The record must have been taken out between the beginning of November and the 2nd of Decemb

d that was all that could be got from him. The master took him at his word. Had he pressed him much, he might have heard more; had he only given him a hint that he knew the register had been robbed, and that both trouble and injustice were likely to arise from it, he might have heard all; for Henry fully meant to keep his word with George Prattleton, and declare the truth, if a necessity aros

ury, and had frequent interviews with Mr. Fauntleroy; and they saw that the renowned lawyer himself was in a state of ferment; but not a breath touching the register in any way had escaped abroad, and George Prattleton and Henry Arkell we

affairs, as usual, lived in a perpetual state of anticipati

l. The month came in, and the money was not paid; and Mr. Fauntleroy immediately threatened harsh measures: that he would sell him up for the whole of the debt. He had had judgment long ago, and therefore possessed the p

ou?" he asked. "I saved you once fro

strong-minded lawyer-not to speak mo

repay me, does that blot out the obligation? If any one man sho

not been

early understood it, you have made my life one of worry, hardship, and distress. But for that large sum I had to pay suddenly for you I might have done differently in the world. It was my ru

at d'ye mean?" roughly

entle-minded, too timid-mannered to contend. But the interview

was one of the brightest March ever gave us-a final, peremptory, unmistakable missive arrived for Peter Arkell from Mr. Fauntleroy. And yet the man boasted in it of his leniency of giving him a few hours more grace; it even dared to

ectic on her cheeks, the unnatural brightness of her eyes. How lovely she looked as she lay there, a lace cap shading her delicate features, no description

ess between mother and son was more apparent than ever, and the tall, fine boy of sixteen had lost none of his inherited beauty. It was the same exquisite face; the soft, dark eyes, the transparent complexion, the pure features. Perhaps I have d

ing now,

l be lat

and he looked attentively at his mother. The signs of

u have bee

inful matters had been kept as much as possible from Henry; but he could not avoid knowin

now?" he urg

get. Never mind, dear; you cannot mend matters, so there's no necessity for allowing them to trouble you

vidly as he read, and he turned to look at the direction. It

m at Heath Hall, and as it will be the judges' h

tige of colour had forsaken his sensit

! what have you been reading? What has Lucy done? She ha

oice and manner to calmness, though his heart turned sick wit

of our home. I scarcely know what myself, exce

od the letter aright, a sum of ten pounds would for the pres

us, Henry; more than

orrow it from

r. If you only knew, my dear, how much, how often, he has had to borrow from

ill be done

, "in spite of my firmly-seated trust, these petty anxieties are wearing me out. Every time a knock comes to the doo

to the cloister entrance in two minutes and a half. Are you being

can but retain, our home!-several times it would have gone, but for Mr. Arkell. But I was wrong to speak of this to you," she sighed: "and I am wrong to give way, myself.

t had been leaning. "No. But if I were, it would be som

dread of being marked late on the cathedral roll. As he let the gate swing to, behind him, and turned on his way, a hand was laid upon his shou

ohn! Are you i

Harry, you have grown out of all knowledge: you will be as tal

sed to see you," he continued: "but I cannot

till? Are you t

oy yet. Prattleton is senior. Jocelyn went to

came in with t

ster?" returned Henry, h

le self, the heir of all the St. Johns

away his head as he answered. Did St. John's h

st see your

t in a minute: it is

etty toy hanging to its blue ribbon

on one side, and the inscription to you on the other. There; put

he medal into his jacket-pocket, flew away, and got on to t

Monday morning; and, being unable to redeem it on the Saturday, he had lain in bed all day on the Sunday, and sent word to the head master that he had sprained his ankle. On the Monday, he limped into the school, apparently in excruciating pain, to the sympathy of the masters, and intense admiration of the senior boys. Henry Arkell had never been guilty of this practice, but he was asking himself, all

he been going into the place to steal, he could not have felt more shame. The shop was partitioned off into compartments or boxes, so that one customer should not see another. If Henry Arkell could but have known his ill-luck! In the box contiguous to the one he entered, stood Alfred Aultane, the boy next below him in the choir, who had stolen down with one of the family tablespoons, which he had jus

s?" asked Henry, coming in, and not

ng the watch. "You college gentlemen have got

ust have ten. I shall be sure

dges; I will say that for them. I will lend you six pounds upon it

, if you please," re

Six pounds: take

y argued--"the gift of the dean and chapter! But it is my own," temptation whispered again, "and surely this is a righteous cause. Yes: I will risk it: and if I can't redeem it before, it must

is on it, and there is no other medal like it in the town. I would n

with me are never seen." But Alfred Aultane, fro

ce of Mr. Fauntleroy, when he heard s

llege this afternoon?" demanded Henry, who, as senior chori

If Wilberforce kicks up a row, I shall swear my mother kept me to make cal

tone-never used by some of the boys to him.

r something that can't wait. I'll pay you back ne

specific purpose. I have not a sixpence that I

ted Aultane, in his heart

sion had met the judges, and was nearing the city, on its return. Just then a blast was