The "others," let it be noted, however, had till now always been present; and, chief amongst them, great wealth and an important and popular father.

The father was recently dead, as the black band on the young man's arm still testified, and the wealth had suddenly vanished, wholly and completely, in one of the financial calamities of the day.

General Hobson, contemplating his nephew, and mollified, as we have said, by his splendid appearance, kept saying to himself: "He hasn't a farthing but what poor Laura allows him; he has the tastes of forty thousand a year; a very indifferent education; and what the deuce is he going to do ?" Aloud he said: "Well, all I know is, I had a deplorable letter last mail from your poor mother." The young man turned his head away, his cigarette still poised at his lips.

"Yes, I know--mother's awfully down." "Well, certainly your mother was never meant for a poor woman," said the General, with energy.

"She takes it uncommonly hard." Roger, with face still averted, showed no inclination to discuss his mother's character on these lines.
"However, she'll get along all right, if you do your duty by her," added the General, not without a certain severity.
"I mean to do it, sir." Barnes rose as he spoke.