| Page | |
| Prologue. | |
| On Deck—Curry and Culture—Alternative Distractions—APeriod of Probation—The Oath and theTalisman—Wavering—A Chronological Error—TheTime Bargain—Tourmalin Opens an Account | [1] |
| Chapter I. | |
| Tourmalin's First Cheque, and How he Took It. | |
| Fidelity Rewarded—Love's Catechism—Brain-fag—aTimely Recollection—The Experiment, and someStartling Results—Question Time—"Dear Friends"—ACompromise | [21] |
| Chapter II. | |
| The Second Cheque. | |
| Furnishing—A Cosy Corner—"Sitting Out"—FreshDiscoveries—Twice a Hero—Bewilderment and Bathos | [38] |
| Chapter III. | |
| The Third Cheque. | |
| Good Resolutions—Casuistry—A Farewell Visit—SmallProfit and a Quick Return | [52] |
| Chapter IV. | |
| The Fourth Cheque. | |
| A Blue Moon—Felicity in a Flat—Practical Astronomy—Temptationand a Relapse—The Difficulties of beingCompletely Candid—A Slight Misunderstanding—The Avenging Orange | [66] |
| Chapter V. | |
| Periodic Drawings. | |
| A Series of Cheques: their Advantages and Drawbacks—AnUnknown Factor—Uncompleted Confidences—Ibsen,with Intervals—A Disappointment—A "Search-question"from Sophia—Confidence Restored | [80] |
| Chapter VI. | |
| Foil and Counterfoil. | |
| The Duties of Authorship—Peter's Continued Perversityand its Unforeseen Results—"Alfred"—The TragicNote—An Interrupted Crisis—A Domestic Surprise | [100] |
| Chapter VII. | |
| The Culminating Cheque. | |
| Sophia Gives an Explanation, and Requests One—HerVerdict—Peter Overruled | [114] |
| Chapter VIII. | |
| Paid in His Own Coin. | |
| In Suspense: a Gleam of Comfort—Darkness Returns—The Rock Ahead—Sir William Lends his Binocular—Reappearance of an Old Enemy—A New Danger—Out of the Frying-pan | [129] |
| Chapter IX. | |
| Compound Interest. | |
| Back to the Fire Again—A Magnanimous Return—Catchingat Straws—Two Total Strangers—Purelya Question of Precedence—"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded"—TheLast Chance | [145] |
| Chapter X. | |
| Dénoûment | [165] |
| The Epilogue | [170] |
TOURMALIN'S
TIME CHEQUES
Tourmalin's Time Cheques.
THE PROLOGUE.
On Deck.—Curry and Culture.—Alternative Distractions.—A Period of Probation.—The Oath and the Talisman.—Wavering.—A Chronological Error.—The Time Bargain.—Tourmalin Opens an Account.