"I will do my best to keep the expenses down, father; but I can assure
you that there is no money wasted now."

Then came a pause, which, after humming and hawing a little, Philip
was the first to break.

"Do you know that I saw your cousin George yesterday? He is back at
last at Isleworth."

"Yes, Pigott told me that he had come. He has been away a long while."

"When did you last see him?"

"When I was about thirteen, I believe; before he lost the election,
and went away."

"He has been down here several times since then. I wonder that you did
not see him."

"I always disliked him, and kept out of his way."

"Gad, you can't dislike him more than I do; but I keep good friends
with him for all that, and you must do the same. Now, look here,
Angela, will you promise to keep a secret?"

"Yes, father, if you wish it."

"Well, then, I appear to be a poor man, don't I? And remember," he
added, hastily, "that, with reference to household expenses, I am
poor; but, as a matter of fact"--and here he sunk his voice, and