"The danger that it may be a wasted arrangement. If you are only set up
on your legs to come down again, as you have before, it will be so much
waste of time and money; so much loss, to me, of temper. Don't you see,
Val?"

Percival Elster stopped in his walk, and withdrew his arm from his
brother's; his face and voice full of emotion.

"Edward, I have learnt a lesson. What it has cost me I hardly yet know:
but it is _learnt_. On my sacred word of honour, in the solemn presence
of Heaven, I assert it, that I will never put my hand to another bill,
whatever may be the temptation. I have overcome, in this respect at
least, my sin."

"Your sin?"

"My nature's great sin; the besetting sin that has clung to me through
life; the unfortunate sin that is my bane to this hour--cowardly
irresolution."

"All right, Val; I see you mean well now. We'll talk of these matters
next week. Instead of Elster's Folly, let it become Elster's Wisdom."

Lord Hartledon wrung his brother's hand and turned away. His eyes fell on
Miss Ashton, and he went straight up to her. Putting the young lady's arm
within his own, without word or ceremony, he took her off to a distance:
and old Lady Kirton's skirts went round in a dance as she saw it.

"I am about to take him in hand, Anne, and set him going again: I have