I shan't trouble you any more." "Well," said Newman, rather disgusted at the smooth operation of the old man's philosophy, "that's as you please." M.Nioche seemed to have been prepared to be despised but nevertheless he made a feeble movement of appeal from Newman's faint praise.

"After all," he said, "she is my daughter, and I can still look after her.

If she will do wrong, why she will.

But there are many different paths, there are degrees.

I can give her the benefit--give her the benefit"-- and M.Nioche paused, staring vaguely at Newman, who began to suspect that his brain had softened--"the benefit of my experience," M.
Nioche added.
"Your experience ?" inquired Newman, both amused and amazed.
"My experience of business," said M.Nioche, gravely.
"Ah, yes," said Newman, laughing, "that will be a great advantage to her!" And then he said good-by, and offered the poor, foolish old man his hand.
M.Nioche took it and leaned back against the wall, holding it a moment and looking up at him.