treat again; and when the time came to go, he found he had actually won a couple of shillings from Orpen-who, most unaccountably, though he could hold his own against the marker, was obliged to confess himself unable to stand against some of the tyro's strokes. They said they would call again soon; and the marker, a most good-natured poor fellow, offered to give the strange gentleman the use of the table any time he liked to drop in, when there was nobody using it, for a little practice.

Dicky stepped out into the ill-smelling lane feeling in the highest good humour with himself. It was not every one that developed a talent for billiards; he knew that very well, without the marker telling him. Mahoney Quain could not hold a cue in his hand. Lots of fellows could never strike with the right degree of force. Mahoney was unrivalled at football and racing and wrestling, but he never did anything, except betting on the game, at billiards. Tad and Gagan were no good either, -not a bit. When they got to the corner of the lane, where it debouches into Brunswick Street, Orpen, who had no fancy for being

VOL. III.

2

seen, was for drawing back cautiously until a group of people just passing had gone; but Dicky, heedless of the pull at his sleeve, blundered on, and his companion had no choice but to keep up with him.

"What hurry are you in-you fool you! Couldn't you have waited an instant to let those Smyths go by, eh?"

"Eh?" repeated Dicky, quite unconsciously, and turning in surprise. The expression of Orpen's face explained what was wrong. And all in one minute he became aware of the reasons why they should not be seen. For the first time he realized the exact significance of what he had been doing. Gambling and drinking! And that, too, in broad daylight, in a low publichouse, when he ought to have been reading for his grinder. A frightened look came into his eyes, and a sort of idea rose to his mind of atonementof remaining at home that evening, instead of going to Wilding's rooms.

"I must go to the train. Orpen, goodbye," he said.

"I'll see you to-night?"

66

Well, I think not; I think I'll have to

"Pshaw! what a flat you are. Why, Wild, ing invited you specially. Every one will be there. Are you afraid, young one?"

He saw what was passing in Dicky's mindand he determined to reassert his mastery at

once.

"Afraid! no, I'm not.

I'm not." Dicky resented his mentor's tone. "By the bye, too, I cannot come to-night. I forgot entirely-I'm obliged to remain at home, positively: very sorry."

His tone was perfectly sincere; and Orpen thought it better not to press the point. He was sure that the next evening would do quite as well. He knew with whom he had to deal, and that Dicky's conceit and desire to be thought a man by his new friends, all of whom were older than himself (Orpen was twenty), would soon bring him back if he had any notion of breaking with them. He was a fish that required a little playing; and Mr. Orpen's practised hand could do that patiently and well until the time came to gaff, and land him high and dry.

CHAPTER III.

HOGAN'S affairs seemed almost to settle themselves, so smooth and clear had the path been laid down for him. He had called, on the day after his arrival in London, the first day of his Parliamentary career; for he had only taken the oaths, and his seat among the Liberal members, the night before—on the stockbrokers in Cole Alley, and had been received with great courtesy as the friend of Mr. Saltasche. Mr. Stier, the senior member of the firm, had shaken hands very warmly with him. He was a Hamburger, with a broad fair face and yellow hair and eyebrows; and spoke with a very very elaborate carefulness as to accent and grammar. Bruen, the other partner, had made all his money in California. He was a quiet man; silent of manner, and courteous, but very observant.

"And how is our friend Mr. Saltasche ?

began the senior partner in a purring tone of voice. "Ah, we are always so glad to meet his acquaintances. You know Mr. Saltasche very well, Mr. Hogan?"

"Yes, very well-we are fast friends. He wrote to you?" Hogan wanted to get to business at once; but the Hamburger was not to be hurried.

"Ah! I have known him for years-years. In Vienna-he was once settled in Vienna-Prince Metternich was a very good friend of his; but, ah!" and Mr. Stier purred a sigh as he opened an enormous volume on his desk. "Bruen, too, knew him. Mr. Saltasche dealt enormously one while in Paris. He was splendidly settled there; and what friends he makes everywhere! Prince Gortschakoff, he says nobody knows everything like Mr. Saltasche; he corresponds with him. And the ex-Emperor of the French,-he, too, received Mr. Saltasche at the Tuileries; one time, I am told, he could have married a princess. Yes, indeed!"

"Why didn't he?" answered Hogan, bewildered. He knew the standing and wealth of the speaker, and because of them he felt