"Upon what circumstances?"

"Whether you will be able to pay me. My hands are very full just now,
and I've about as much business as I can possibly get through."

"I shall want you to abandon all such business, and to devote yourself
exclusively to my service," said Honoria.

"The deuce you will!" exclaimed Mr. Larkspur. "Do you happen to know
what my time is worth?"

Mr. Larkspur looked positively outraged by the idea that any one could
suppose they could secure a monopoly of his valuable services.

"That is a question with which I have no concern," answered Honoria,
coolly. "The work which I require you to do will most likely occupy all
your time, and entirely absorb your attention. I am quite prepared to
pay you liberally for your services, and I shall leave you to name your
own terms. I shall rely on your honour as a man of business that those
terms will not be exorbitant, and I shall accede to them without
further question."

"Humph!" muttered the suspicious Andrew. "Do you know, ma'am, that
sounds almost too liberal? I'm an old stager, ma'am, and have seen a
good deal of life, and I have generally found that people who are ready
to promise so much beforehand, are apt not to give anything when their
work has been done."

"The fact that you have been cheated by swindlers is no reason why
should insult me," answered Honoria. "I wished to secure your services;