If I succeed it will be exceedingly gratifying to us all, I am sure." Mr.Merrick left the office in a rather humbled and testy mood.

He disliked to ask favors at any time and now felt that he had confided himself to the mercy of this callous aristocrat and met with a distinct rebuff.
But he had done it for the sake of his beloved nieces--and they would never know what humiliation this unsatisfactory interview had cost him..