partnership on condition that you, as my successor, marry my niece,
Helen Stillinghast, and promise on your honor to endeavor to overcome
her Catholic tendencies. She is not very strong in her faith, but as I
intend to leave her a considerable amount of property, I do not wish it
to go to the support of a creed I detest--not one copper of it. What
do you say?"

"What amount of capital do you require, Mr. Stillinghast?"

"Whatever you have, sir. If it is much, well; if nothing, it makes no
difference: but, do you hesitate? I suppose the girl is an obstacle."

"None in the least, sir. But I am overwhelmed by your generosity, sir;
the advantages you offer place me in a position which it would have
taken me years of toil to attain, and I must confess, that I am quite
thrown off my balance. Will you allow me at least a few hours to
_think_?" said Walter Jerrold, highly excited.

"Your caution is no discredit to you. I see that I am not deceived,"
said Mr. Stillinghast, with a grim smile. "To-morrow evening I shall
expect an answer; at which time you can come to my house, and take your
tea, and look at my niece."

"You will certainly see me then, sir, and hear my decision." And the
young man, with steps that scarcely felt the earth he trod on, hurried
away, nor paused an instant, until he reached home. Mrs. Jerrold was
standing on her marble carriage-step, just ready to get into her
luxurious coach to take a drive. He whispered a word or two to her;
the carriage was dismissed, and mother and son went up stairs to
analyze the sudden promise of fortune which had burst, like the bow of