commission into the three per cents. Mr. Jones is to let me have a place called Clover Cottage, down in Gloucestershire, and, I believe, I'm to take a farm and be churchwarden of the parish. After paying my debts we shall have about two hundred a-year, which of course will be ample for Clover Cottage. I don't exactly see how I'm to spend my evenings, but I suppose that will come. It's either that or Perim. Which would you advise?"
"I don't know what I ought to say."
"Of course I might cut my throat."
"I wish you wouldn't talk in that way. If it's all a joke I'll take it as a joke."
"It's no joke at all; it's very serious. Mrs. Jones wants me to marry Guss Mildmay."
"And you are engaged to her?"
"Only on certain conditions,—which conditions are almost impossible."
"What did you say to—Miss Mildmay at Curry Hall?"
"I told her I should go to Perim."
"And what did she say?"