Miss Mephistopheles

n the Metropolis of the South. There are the same bold, speculative qualities, the same restless pursuit of pleasure, and the same rapidity and promptness of action which charac

wealth to those who would take shares, and, by means of Mr. Fenton's brilliant command of words, and skilful manipulation of figures, The Never-say-die Insurance Company soon became an accomplished fact. A handsome suite of offices was taken in Collins' Street, a large staff of clerks engaged, a genial medical man, whose smile itself was a recommendation, remained on the premises to

his too ready tongue and the keen glance of his eye. There is no greater mistake than to suppose a villain cannot meet an honest eye, for, as a matter of fact, a succes

ound her finger; and as Kitty Marchurst now had him in her toils, she took full advantage of his infatuation. There was a certain amount of notoriety in being the lover of the now famous Caprice; but Fenton had to pay pretty dearly for his position. Kitty spent his money like water, and when he venture

ordinate, and was amenable to his superior in every way. He admired Fenton greatly, copied him in his dress and mannerisms, affected a rakish demeanour towards his friend's mistress, and thoroughly neglected his poor wife, a neglect of which Fenton tried to take advantage. Had Malton known this, it would doubtless have changed his feel

to Keith and Ezra, who had just arrived, and there were several other ladies present, including Milly Maxwell, who was the second lady at the Bon-Bon--dark-browed, majestic, and

median at the Bon-Bon, and about half-a-dozen others, who were more or less connected with the stage and the press. The men were smoking, chatting, or drinkin

g armchair, reading a fairy tale, and a pretty picture she made with her l

ep in the Magic Castle for one hundred years--oh!" breaking o

over this problem a

rough till the handsome Prince arrived." Here the drawing-room door

y, a dislike which that young person was by no means back

, in his slightly nasal voice, looki

eplied Meg with great digni

be," said Fenton ill-natu

ined Meg, closing her book; "mums

ted the American, and he walked away, wh

make," said the child;

rved Fenton, with no very ami

dignantly; "I don't know a badd

enton, "and who

lied Meg, pursing up her lips; "he

ton vindictively. "Meg, go and t

ed Meg obstinately;

art," said Fenton

f relief, and Fenton turned just to see Ki

child," she said vicious

hold on Meg with an awkw

teach her manne

And now you are here, I wish to speak with you. Meg,

id Meg consolingly to Fenton, and then ran ou

at down near Fenton

five hundred,"

I refused,

ur letter. What

my bus

did you refuse?"

of your ex

eering way that brought

e said, with scorn. "I know fifty better men than

k them," he ret

rang to

ll; that means

at her dress i

t go; you kno

, "that you refuse me a pa

t to you, but I

it," she s

ined," he crie

and make room

devil!" hi

ou what to expect w

e over because I've no money left?"

d glove," s

ill you

are melo

" with a sudden ch

rchurst is dead; she died when she went on the stage, and all womanly pity die

lancing every now and then at

at length, mindful of her promise to Mr

that?"

lton was

upted, springing to his

ngs about your love for

gan, but Kitty shru

money, not for you. But about this visit; he

ttle pale, and loo

the scoundrel!"

risively. "Not a noble, uprigh

from her w

d in an angry tone. "He was fixed up for life, if he

love to his wife," r

wife," replied Fenton, with a sco

me to help thi

u are asking me to

't understand legal terms. I am only asking y

love him?

ve any one ex

child," wi

e. Will you hel

w must take

l help hi

t h

ust be replaced--find out how mu

od? you've not

hat I

t pay the money myself; but I

u w

facedly, "I'll let you

points, so could afford to do so. At this moment Meg entered the room f

"I've given him the knife, and he says i

th a smile, looking at the large--very large ivory-handled k

Mr. Stewart," said

ky sixpence. He says we're engaged now, and wh

ou going to rob me of my daughter? This

ly manner, then hurried away

observed Stewart,

aid Kitty airily

ype="