and you need not speak and look, Beatrice, as if I were ready to be measured for my coffin. Only, I will thank you, my love, just to pull the checkstring and give the word "Home !"'* The dowager, during the remainder of the drive, was very white and silent, leaning heavily back in her corner of the roomy vehicle, but she uttered no complaint; and the few words which she did speak were derisive of the evident alarm which her young ward and kinswoman entertained on her behalf. As, however, the carriage, drawing near to the Fountains, passed the lane that led down to the river, Lady Livingston, who had been steadfastly gazing out through the window nearest to her, suddenly exclaimed: 'See, look! Beatrice; that must be Miss Maybrook, yonder by the boathouse, with somebody!" And Beatrice, as her eyes sought the direction indicated, was also convinced, not merely that the female figure which she beheld was that of Violet, but that her masculine companion was no other than her own cousin, Sir Frederick Dashwood. 'I think it was Miss Maybrook,' she said hesitatingly, as the carriage swept on towards the lodge-gates; at least, it was strikingly like her.' The dowager, in the excitement of the recognition, had quite shaken off all signs of suffering. 'Strikingly like-yes, very, she muttered, with an ominous tightening of the lips, and a portentous contraction of her bushy eyebrows. A pretty trick, this, to feign illness, and then steal out to meet a lover so soon as my back is turned. If this be so, she will find that the old cat-as no doubt she calls me to her Lothario yonder-has claws. I forgive anything but treachery.' Beatrice Fleming, whose gentle nature led her to find excuses for the supposed culprit, tried to interpose a word between the offender and the wrath which she had provoked. It was a long way off, dear Lady Livingston, and we had, you must remember, only a moment, before those persons, whoever they may have been, were out of sight. We may be deceived by a resemblance, after all.' 'Very probable, I should say,' answered the old lady grimly. But we shall get at the truth, I daresay, for here we are at home. How stupid of Peters to have shut the gate; and here the dawdling old creature, his wife, keeps us waiting, as if she did not know I was out for a drive.' Now, in strict justice, this blame was undeserved by both the superannuated servants who earned an easy livelihood as janitors at the Fountains. It was indeed an established rule that the gates were to be kept closed, for the exclusion of beery excursionists, who were apt to break boughs and pluck flowers as they went by; and Mrs Peters had come with all reasonable promptitude to give ingress to her mistress. But Lady Livingston, eager to confront the truant dependent, whom she imagined to have practised on her credulity, felt as if the plump gray horses had never gone so slowly; as if the footman had never been so tediously inactive in swinging himself from the rumble, and in letting down the clattering steps; and as if every one around her were in league to impede her investigations and to screen the guilty. Once in the hall, she hurried up-stairs, at a pace which amazed the domestics, unused to such agility on the part of their valetudinarian mistress, and made the best of her way direct to the west wing, and to Miss Maybrook's room. 'Come with me, child,' she had said to Beatrice, on whose arm, however, she refused to lean, as she hastened on. She will be rather surprised,' said the dowager, 'to find me waiting for her, when she tears herself away from her stolen interview yonder.' And without further ceremony than a peremptory tap against the woodwork, she threw open the door. The room, at first, appeared so dark by contrast with the day without, that neither Beatrice nor Lady Livingston could distinguish whether or not the chamber was tenanted. Presently, as their eyes grew more accustomed to the dim light that filtered through between the heavy window-curtains, they beheld a sight which staggered their faith in the evidence of their own senses. There, on the bed, half-covered by shawls, lay Violet, just as they had left her, and in the same attitude, with her beautiful head pillowed on one arm, and a tress of dark hair disarranged and falling loosely over her cheek, Quite quiet and motionless she lay, as if asleep, and there was nothing, which Lady Livingston's peering eyes could detect, changed since her last visit to her companion's room. And yet, how few were the instants since Violet, traversing the grounds with the speed of some hunted animal, to whose feet the anguish of imminent peril lends a frenzied swiftness, had darted, unseen, up the stairs that led to the garden, had, unseen, regained her chamber, and tearing off the hat and velvet walking-jacket which she wore, had flung herself on the bed, where she lay crouched like the weary hare among the fern, when spent with fierce exertion in the long effort to escape the coming hounds! But she played her part so well, that quick and wildly as her heart was beating, her awakening, as the dowager stood beside her couch, was so natural, that the old peeress grew ashamed of her suspicions. "You feel better now, my dear,' she said, half gruffly, half in kindness; and then added: 'but your hand is burning hot, poor child, though you lie here, on this cold day, without a fire. I don't want to frighten you, but you had better see some one. There's Dr Eccles he doesn't understand my constitution, but he may yours.' But Dr Eccles, when summoned, agreed with Miss Maybrook that the latter's indisposition was trifling; she was a little feverish, but that was all. Nevertheless, Beatrice, though she kept her conviction to herself, was none the less assured that the man whom she had seen was Sir Frederick Dashwood, and that Violet had been at his side. CHAPTER XII.-DOING BUSINESS WITH THE BEHEMOTH. 'You are cornered, Fred. No use in mincing matters about it, my dear boy! You are in the Behemoth's hands, and must just try to make the best of the unhandsome hole in which bad luck has landed you.' So said, between the lazy puffs of his cigar, Major Raffington, who belonged to the Flag Club, and was indeed a committee-man of that institution, in the smoking-room of which the above oracular words were delivered. It was early in the day, one of those lazy hours of the forenoon which the most inveterate idler finds it hard to kill, and Dashwood and the major were the sole occupants of that apartment, sacred to nicotine. The latter warrior was by four or five years the older of the two, if there be faith in Debrett and in the more prosaic parish register; but to judge by the wrinkles on his face and the mottled tints of his complexion, Major Raffington was a perfect Nestor in comparison with the still handsome baronet. That his experience was considerable, was matter of notoriety. 'Old Raff knows a thing or two,' was the verdict of the junior members of the military club, and as the words were generally coupled with a wink or smile, intended to be profoundly significant, it may be conjectured that the 'thing or two' pertained to the shadier arcana of London life. and then, for the sake of the dinner-parties. A 'I don't see why that circumstance should concern me so very much, after all,' gloomily rejoined the baronet, knocking away the feathery white ash from his cigar. 'Don't you? I do,' answered Major Raffington, with a twinkle in his eye. I should have thought you had cut your eye-teeth long enough ago to have found out that there is sometimes safety, not merely in the multitude of counsellors, but in the multitude of creditors as well. Perhaps it's on the same principle which inspires the proverb that a council of war never fights, but, at anyrate, a fellow who is down on his luck had better trust to the forbearance of the ruck of those to whom he owes money, than depend on that of some one thumping capitalist. When once, however, you are fairly netted, you had better look your position fairly in the face. The Baron, the King, or the Behemoth, whichever you like to call him, is, really and truly, not one half so black as he is painted.' 'I'm glad to hear it. Report certainly does lay on the colour with a full brush, as artists say,' growled Dashwood, as he twisted his tawny moustache. There are men who through life contrive to pick their way through muddy places without being visibly bespattered by the mire that adheres to the less prudent, and Major Raffington was one of those men. No one had ever heard of his possessing any property in particular, and yet he had lived on the fat of the land from infancy upwards, and was never heard to complain of insufficiency of means. An astonishing number of gentlemen successively fail to attain the rank of field-officer, sell out, more for the benefit of their creditors than of themselves, and are shelved thenceforth as captains by courtesy. But Raffington had done better for himself, and was now a major unattached, still drawing pay from the national exchequer, although what he had ever done to merit his position as a pensioner of confiding Britannia, was an enigma which coldblooded utilitarians found difficult of solution. The pay of a major of infantry, unattached, did not, however, in Raffington's opinion, suffice for his 'I know him pretty well,' pursued the major, maintenance, and the 'private means,' of which he and it is my belief that four-fifths of what is said was wont negligently to speak at times, being a of him are sheer lies, and that the residue is mystery to the veriest busy-bodies of his club, he exaggerated. Like some other of the dons and was popularly reported to provide for his wants by great-guns in his own line, he can afford to be somewhat dubious industries. Jackal to a money-lenient, and even generous, when he likes, which is lender, hanger-on to a great racing-stable, volunteer precisely what the small fry of the loan-mongers bear-leader to any young cub of fashion who was cannot. I could tell you of a dozen instances willing to part freely with his cash in return for in which Shylock has been-I won't say satisfied the good offices of an Asmodeus who expected his with less than his bond; that's common enough, Cleophas not to prove close-fisted; the major when more can't be had-but liberal to some managed to make both ends meet, and with some- poor beggar that he had got tight in his clutch, thing to spare, at the termination of the year. to do as he pleased with. I'm not given to fine What he did with his savings, if such he possessed, phrases; but if one of ourselves, my lord, or Sir nobody knew. He was a man who never lent Harry, or the like, had shewn as much mercy to a a shilling, dined luxuriously at the expense of defaulter on the double event as I have known the other people, perhaps three hundred days in the Behemoth to do to some deep in his books, he twelvemonth, and when he played at whist, gener- would have been canonised by the clubs as the ally rose a winner. Men said that 'Raff' was a prince of good-fellows. That's all!' deep dog, and it is certain that he was not overcommunicative about his personal affairs, though he received the confidences of many. 'Of course I am cornered; I know that well enough, without your telling me so,' was Dashwood's half-savage retort. I declare that some of you fellows really seem to roll out your words as if you luxuriated in them when you are on the theme of another man's ruin. You tell him he's up a tree, and under a cloud, and the rest of it, when the poor devil only asks a helping hand to get clear of the plight that he sees more clearly than any one else can do.' Something to enjoy, eh, in the misfortunes of our best friends?' composedly chimed in the major. 'I don't know whether you have read Rochefoucauld, or whether you are misquoting him intuitively, as Monsieur Jourdain talked prose without knowing it. There-there, old boy, I see you are in no humour for chaffing, and indeed I'm not very literary myself, though I do dip into a book now Dashwood flung away the stump of his cigar. 'And when, Raff, am I to have the honour to be presented to this chivalrous king of the money-lenders?' sneered he. 'You are Lord Chamberlain, and understand the etiquette of the thing. I do not. But the sooner I make a spoon or spoil a horn, as the phrase is, the better, for I am sick of suspense, and, besides, I want a little ready cash. Such a Croesus as you describe, and a disguised philanthropist to boot, might oblige me with the trifle I require-only three poor hundreds without boggling about marketable security, surely.' "Nothing more probable,' coolly replied the major. I don't think-for, mind you, I do not know anything of the Baron's intentions-that he means mischief because he has bought up your floating securities. And if he takes a fellow in hand, he generally stands by him like a trump. As for the meeting, I will introduce you now, if you like, and at this hour we shall be sure to find the Behemoth at his post. You've got the papers that I told you would be necessary?-All right. The streets are not bad for walking to-day, and Pitt Street isn't a very laborious pilgrimage.' 'One word of advice, Fred, my boy,' said Major Raffington impressively, as the two walked together towards the narrow and gloomy street, in the parish of St James the Courtly, which towards the close of the last century had been named after the Heaven-born minister; or, rather, two words. Take them in good part, old man, for they are kindly meant, I assure you.' 'I never heard anything disagreeable that was not supposed to be kindly meant,' answered Dashwood, almost sullenly. Well, fire as many shotted guns as you please, Raff, and I promise to consider them as an amicable salute.' 'Well don't lie to him, for he won't stand it; and don't higgle with him, for he won't bear it. That is all returned the major quietly; and as Dashwood turned and glared at him, he went on, with perfect phlegm: You see, dear boy, it's well to know the country you ride over before you get into the pigskin. Swartz is a very peculiar man to deal with. His hobby, to conduct both sides of a bargain at once, and to settle the terms of the transaction once for all, and without contradiction. Queer, you'll say.' 'And here is the Baron's house,' responded the major, stopping before one of the tall, narrow, and high-roofed dwellings, begrimed by the smoke of many years, which line the two sides of Pitt Street. Now, don't forget my advice. He will make a better bargain for you, on the smooth, than you will ever make for yourself if you object to his proposals.' A dismal house it was, with its dirty windows, its blistered area railing, and stained steps, above which stood two preposterous extinguishers of rusty iron, into which many a link and flambeau had been thrust, in the benighted times when gas was not. The door was opened by a white-faced small boy, preternaturally sharp-featured, slim, and alert, whose page's livery was of the glossiest green cloth, and his sugar-loaf buttons not of vile brass, as are those of so many of these duodecimo male retainers, but resplendent with new gilding. This precociously intelligent urchin grinned benignly on the major, while regarding his companion with a furtive leer. Guided by this gorgeously apparelled imp, the two officers ascended the stairs to the second floor, and Dashwood, who looked inquisitively about him, was struck by the incongruities which he beheld. The house would have been much improved by fresh paint, fresh paper - hangings, and fresh air; but the staircase was draped in thick and soft carpet of 'And yet,' pursued the major, 'I don't call the costly material, but sober pattern. Cobwebs clung plan a bad one. It saves time and temper. Give to the cornices, and the walls were blotched by the Behemoth his head, and you will find your- damp; but the open doors of two or three rooms self on the sunny side of the hedge. Dispute revealed silken curtains, statues, china, and costly with him, as if you were dealing with a pig-furniture. But the greatest surprise awaited jobber for live-pork, and you will be in Queer Street before you've done with him, as some uncommonly knowing gentlemen have been before this. There was a man we both knew-Downie, Fribble Downie-who tried to be too clever for the Jew, and burnt his fingers, rather!' "Very queer!' struck in Sir Frederick. 'I say, Raff,' exclaimed Sir Frederick, with a forced laugh, while we are on the candid and outspoken line of country, perhaps you'll tell me, confidentially, what percentage you will get from the Behemoth if we do business together? It ought to be a good one.' Major Raffington chuckled with imperturbable good-humour as he passed his arm through Dashwood's. That little poke, which you meant for a home-thrust, Fred, does not disturb me in the least,' was his cool reply: you would hardly have paid me the compliment of seeking me out as your adviser in this affair, but for the gossip you have heard as to my supposed understanding with the Baron. Now, if I were a humbug, or easy to affront, I should get on my high-horse, and inform you that I did not stir in the matter except to render service to an old friend and brother-officer. As it is, I'll tell you the exact truth. I shan't get a sixpence of commission. But Swartz likes to extend his connection, and when I help him to do it, I feel sure that I shall be the better for it in pocket one day or other. I suppose he makes some sort of calculation, but hang me if I know, when I cash his cheque, the precise fashion in which I earned it.' Dashwood when he was inducted into the presence of the king of the London money-lenders himself. Sir Frederick, who, unluckily for himself, had been a borrower ever since he had emerged from the halcyon period of legal infancy, was well used to the manners and practices of the majority of those accommodating persons who accelerate the spendthrift's progress down the slippery road to ruin. Some of these philanthropists inhabit squalid dens, at least during the hours of business; others are unwholesome-looking attorneys, whose legitimate profession is a mere screen to their illicit dabbling in post-obits; but there are a few who dwell in shewy sets of chambers, and a smaller minority whose mansions fill their suburban neighbours with admiring envy. Dashwood knew the Behemoth's religion, or, at least, race, and he was prepared to encounter a fleshy-featured Jew, with a hook beak, raven-black hair, and an oriental addition to emerald breast-pins, brilliant rings, and cable-like watch-chains. Swartz was originally from Frankfort too-that he knew, and might be expected to speak with that Hebrew-German accent, which is only to be heard in perfection in the Judengasse of that ex Free City. What Dashwood really saw was a florid gentleman, lighthaired, and with trim whiskers of an amber tint, and who, from his dress and demeanour, might easily have been mistaken for a Somersetshire squire, of a more modern type than honest Mr Western, one who rode a little, and shot a little, and farmed a good deal, but who never allowed his field-sports or his agricultural operations to interfere with his presence in his place in parliament, or in the bay-window of his club. His hands, on which glittered no rings, were pink, plump, and well-cared for; his teeth were very white, and his small steady eyes were of a dark-blue; altogether, but for the aquiline nose, and the faintest tinge of foreign accent, no one could have guessed the Baron to be either an alien or an Israelite. The Behemoth's chamber of audience was a long, low room, formed, no doubt, by some pulling down of party-walls, and here there were no signs of the decay and neglect elsewhere visible. The pictures were few, but choice; and their gilt frames and the mouldings of the large mirrors contrasted well with the subdued tint of the pearly French wall-paper, and the sober richness of the Tournay carpet. The furniture and hangings were of pale-blue silk; and there was even a profusion of works of art, of precious marbles, stained glass, tall vases from Japan, richly inlaid weapons from the East, of books in costly bindings, and of miscellaneous prettinesses in silver, ivory, and bronze. Baron Swartz rose from his chair with a courteous bow and a wave of the hand, as he motioned to his visitors to be seated. I am happy to make your acquaintance, Sir Frederick,' he said, with much urbanity; and, as your time is probably of value, as well as my own, I will not keep you longer in suspense as to what you come about than is unavoidably necessary. The major here, my good friend, yesterday handed to me a written statement-here it is-of the general state of your affairs, which, with a few rectifications, I find to be tolerably correct. Have you the papers which I requested you to bring? Thanks! And as the baronet, somewhat sullenly, laid the documents on the table, he felt that the Baron's steady blue eyes were reading him, though with no obtrusive scrutiny, like a printed book. 'Ah, well,' said the Behemoth smilingly, as he spread out the papers before him, 'I only ask a few minutes-ten, at the outside-while I glance at these. Can you employ them, gentlemen, in the perusal of light, very light literature?' indicating with his plump forefinger a collection of periodicals, illustrated newspapers, and novels in all the freshness of their newly hatched condition. Or, if Sir Frederick cares for Cuyps and Poussins, perhaps, my dear major, you will do the honours of my little collection. There are some pretty little gems of pastoral landscape, which are no strangers to you.' And without further preface, he began to peruse the documents, making notes on a sheet of paper as he read on. The major and his friend rose, and made the circuit of the room, the former assuming, willingly enough, the office of cicerone, and calling attention to the beauties of this or that valuable painting, without much heed to the evident indifference of the baronet, to whom a bull by Paul Potter, and an over-driven ox on its road to the cattle-market, were objects of equal unconcern. 'I conclude it's all right,' at last said Dashwood, with a yawn. 'I say,' he added, with more animation, but below his breath, if he lends me any money, he won't insist, will he, on my taking part of the loan in these sort of things? I've known that done before this.' 'So have I!' coolly answered the major. But set your mind at rest, Fred, my boy, for, unless your loan be one worthy of Rothschild, he 'll hardly ask you to walk off with these. Did you take the paintings I have been shewing you for Wardour Street imitations-Old Masters done to order at thirty shillings! There's not one of these bits of canvas that Swartz has not covered, continental fashion, with gold naps, once, twice, ay, thrice over. Bless you, my dear fellow, do you suppose he lives here, out of office-hours? Not he! He has a villa at Kensington, that cost Heaven knows what, for conservatories and decorations; and the dinners he gives there are royal, sir, for taste and splendour. I've only been asked there once; and as for the company, I assure you' But Major Raffington's definition of those who sat around the Baron's mahogany was cut short by the bland voice of the Baron himself. 'Excuse me, gentlemen, for having trespassed so long upon your patience. I shall be happy, as refers to Sir Frederick Dashwood's business with me, to come to the point at once. Pray, sit down. I promise to be brief.' I may as well say at once, Baron Swartz,' said Dashwood, as he resumed his seat, that I am in pressing want of a small advance at the present time. I cannot explain' 'My very dear sir,' interrupted the Behemoth, again lifting his forefinger, 'let me entreat you to spare yourself the unnecessary trouble of even a partial explanation. I never met with a new client who did not require some such slight assistance at the first. What is it to be ?-A hundred pounds?two-three?' And he rustled over the leaves of his open cheque-book, and, dipping his pen in the ornamental inkstand beside him, smiled upon Sir Frederick with a benevolence that absolutely disconcerted the baronet. "Three hundred pounds will be sufficient,' said the latter, almost sheepishly; but as regards interest and security' 'Leave the consideration of both, if you please, to me,' said the Baron, again breaking in on the thread of his customer's discourse. 'I told him,' said Major Raffington, with soldierly bluntness, 'that he would find that the best plan.' 'And you were right, my good major,' rejoined the Baron. 'So, now, with your kind permission, I will state my views. The case, to my poor fancy, lies, as your English lawyers say, in a nutshell. I am now the proprietor of here they are-all the acceptances, sadly overdue, which Sir Frederick has scattered over London. To press for immediate payment'— and here the blue eyes fixed themselves very steadily on those other blue eyes, by far the handsomer in shape and hue, but not so piercing or so steady, which belonged to Dashwood would put you, my dear sir, to sad inconvenience. I have also a list of liabilities, simple contract debts, mere extracts from tradesmen's ledgers, for which I could compromise, without any bankruptcy or unpleasantness of that sort; and these, on certain conditions, I am willing to discharge. Here is a bill at three months' (hastily filling it up) for the advance which you require-interest, stamp, and premium deducted. You receive, in cash, two hundred and forty pounds for your acceptance for three hundred. Naturally, I expect you will be punctual in meeting this demand' (and here the Baron smiled) 'when due. This bond, this bill of sale on your horses and furniture-and this agreement to insure your life in such office as I may select, will, with the additional formality of bills at two and three months respectively, make PROPHETIC DAYS. up the amount of your former securities, which I will return to you cancelled. And I don't think, Sir Frederick, that I could easily have stated terms that should have been less onerous to you, as you probably perceive.' There was a little pause, as Dashwood read over the memorandum of the various sums; he could not but admit, as he signed the required papers, 655 succession of unseasonably cold days, and necessarily a failure of the crops; while foul weather on that day is a sure promise of a bright spring, with a summer to match: If Candlemas Day be dry and fair, The half o' winter's to come, and mair; and pocketed the cheque and the cancelled accept Or as a southern version puts it: "A glass of sherry?' said the Baron, and as he touched the knob of a bell within his reach, the page in the green livery brought in the desired refreshment. 'Beats any cellar in London,' the major said, afterwards, of the wine in question. He had it, a present, from some tremendous grandee in Spain.' "Tell me one thing, Raff,' said Dashwood, as the pair walked away down Pitt Street; what did he let me off so cheaply for? I declare it was a relief when he knocked sixty off the draft for the three hundred. It proved him to be a flesh-and-blood Hebrew, after all. Still, he must have some motive, mustn't he?' I suppose so,' said the major carelessly; most of us have. But as for guessing what the Behemoth's intentions are, that is too hard a nut to crack. I daresay you'll find it out for yourself, some day, dear boy." PROPHETIC DAYS. WOULD-BE Weatherwise folks would be saved a world of trouble if experience justified the popular faith in certain days of the year-saints' days, of course, most of them-having such a prophetic power attached to them, that by merely using our eyes and our almanacs, we may learn what the future will bring 'of good or evil luck, of plagues, of dearths, or season's quality.' These ominous days are but few in number, something under a score; and it is impossible to guess why they, any more than their fellows, should be invested with such a valuable attribute. has If the New-year's first morning sky is covered by clouds of a dusky red hue, there will be much debate and strife among the great ones of the earth, and—this we may readily believe-many robberies will be perpetrated before the year run its course. Should the sun deign to shine upon St Vincent's Day, dwellers in wine-growing lands may take heart and rejoice, for they will see more wine than water-that is to say, they may calculate upon a dry season, especially conducive to a profitable vintage. Less limited in its application is the fore-knowledge acquirable by meteorological students upon the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, according to the old monkish rhymes, one of the many translations of which runs : If St Paul's Day be fair and clear, It does betide a happy year; But if it chance to snow or rain, Then war shall vex the kingdom oft. Candlemas prognostications go, as those of dreams are said to do, by contraries; fine weather on Candlemas Day being prophetical of a long If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, On Candlemas Day, if the thorns hang a drop, As far as the sun shines in on Candlemas Day, the striking verification of the ancient superstition was no verification at all. The Hebrideans observe, or did observe, an odd custom. On Candlemas Day, in every house, a sheaf of oats was dressed in feminine attire, and laid, with a big club by its side, in a basket, called 'Brüd's bed.' Before turning in for the night, the mistress and her maids cried in chorus: Brüd is come! Brüd is welcome!' visible in the ashes on the hearth, it was held a If, next morning, an impression of the club was sure presage of an abundant harvest and a prosperous year; if the club had not left its mark, it was an omen of coming bad times. that from whichever quarter the wind blows Down Winchester-way it is commonly believed chiefly upon Palm-Sunday, it will blow during the best part of the summer. In Hertfordshire they hold that A good deal of rain upon Easter Day Gives a good crop of grass, but little good hay. If the sun shines clearly on Easter Day, good weather and good times are in store, and one may make sure of seeing the sun upon Whitsunday. The lightest of showers falling upon Ascension Day is an omen dire, foretelling sickness among cattle, and great scarcity of food for |