In Friendship's Guise

move he intercepted Foster and clutched him by the arm

ge's own lips a denial of your words. How dar

e censorious world. She has been left pretty much to herself, and naturally s

account, and make he

," urged Nevill.

his companion, and went back to his chair. He

womanhood. Her very innocence would make her an easy prey

by all

y not t

ce that it was I who told you? And what,

now," thought Stephen Foster. "Did s

and nodded to me. But whether Madge saw me or not won't make much difference under present circumstances. If you

What do you w

town. Then tell her that some stock-broking friend

assented Stephen Foster.

anything more to do with Vernon, and

t believe that he has any honorable intentions. H

always a rake and a roue; though, as I am a friend of his,

s timely, and I will see tha

Madge to me if I ca

" replied Stephen Foster, "provided he is worthy of her.

t. I have your permission, the

ad to see you a cou

sband for his daughter; but Victor Nevill had gained his point, and was satisfied with what he had so far accomplish

s carried on that had no reference to the girl. It was nearly eleven o'clock when Nevill left the house, and bade Stephen Foster good-night on t

romised certain things, and he knows that he can't play fast and loose with me. I am afraid some harm has been done already, but it will blow over if he keeps a tight rein on his daughter. As for Vernon, he must be forced to decamp. Curse the fate that brought him across my path! There's not much I would stop at if he became a dangerous rival. But there is no danger of that. I have the inner track, and by p

tting out at Portland road, he took a cab to Regent street, and dropped in at the Cafe Royal for a few minutes. Then he started toward his lodgings on foot. It was that witching hour when West End London, before it goes to s

minently than her companion. She was richly dressed, and-at least by gaslight-strikingly beautiful, with great eyes of a purplish hue, and a mass of golden-red hair that might or might not ha

istinctly. He uttered an exclamation of surprise, and started as though an unseen hand had dealt him a blow. He hesitated briefly, seemingly dazed, and then started in pursuit. But he ran i

d Nevill. "And I must be mistaken, anyway

t. When a brace of painted women, emboldened by his attitude, shot covert remarks a

s nothing to me now, though I nearly broke my heart over her once. But she may serve as a useful tool. She will be a trump card to play, if need be. She has probably come to London recently, and if she stays any time it would not be a dif

ped himself to cigars and brandy-and-soda, and had dipped into half a dozen late novels that were scattered about the table, but without finding any to interest him. It was long past

phew, and presumably his heir. He had had another sister-his favorite one-but many years ago he had cast her out of his life. He lived alone at his fine old place in Sussex, Priory Court, near to the sea and the downs. When he was at home he found occupation in shooting and fishing, riding, cultivating hot-house fruits, and breeding horses and catt

led a civil position in Bombay for eighteen months-and his favorite wine was port. He was generous and kind-hearted, and believed that every young man must sow his crop of wild oats, and that he would be the better for it. But there was an

s door, surprised to see that the gas was lighted in his rooms. If he was unplea

e cried, "I am del

ming countenance. "You night-bird! Do you k

me a line or wired. I have been dining with a friend in the subu

ced keenly at his nephew, noting his flushed face and rumpled

m off to Norway in the morning, by a steamer that sails from the Thames, and from there I shall probably go to th

laughing to hide his sudden look of relief. "I wish

ng dog like yourself-you can't exis

rticular. I re

els. Does your i

get along,

s than the last time I was here. It is fit for a Sybarite. Your brandy is old liquor, and must have cost you a pretty penny. Your cigars are too

p appearances,

r and mother spoiled you. You should have gone to the bar, or into the army or the church. However, it is too late

" Victor crie

you were thrown on the Continent with a full purse. You have been able to indulge every whim and fancy. You have had enough of wild oats. Fill your niche in Society and Clubdom, if you like. Be a butterfly and an ornament, if you feel no inclination for anything better. But be a gentleman-be honorable. If you ever fo

us. I never give your fortune a thought. As for the ho

lessly. "It shows spirit. Well, I hope you'll overlook my sha

nspiration. "My income keeps me going all right. It is only in trifles that I

is Havanas by the thousand from Fribourg and Treyer. That I should prefer cheroots is rank degeneracy.

ist upon c

th me at Morley's-

us was not altogether easy in mind as he walked down Regen

sney was unsullied-I forgot for a moment. It is strange that Mary should be so much in my mind lately. Poor girl! Perhaps I was too harsh with her. I

wretched woman with an infant in her arms, crouching unde