suit, frequently inquiring how it progressed, and assuring Jim that
if he chose to marry he might have all the upper floor at a low rent,
he, Mr. Vine, contenting himself entirely with the ground level. It
had been so convenient for discussing business matters to have Jim in
the same house, that he did not wish any change to be made in
consequence of a change in Jim's domestic estate. Margery knew of
this wish, and of Jim's concurrent feeling; and did not like the idea
at all.

About four days after the young man's interview with the Baron, there
drew up in front of Jim's house at noon a waggon laden with cases and
packages, large and small. They were all addressed to 'Mr. Hayward,'
and they had come from the largest furnishing ware-houses in that
part of England.

Three-quarters of an hour were occupied in getting the cases to Jim's
rooms. The wary Jim did not show the amazement he felt at his
patron's munificence; and presently the senior partner came into the
passage, and wondered what was lumbering upstairs.

'Oh--it's only some things of mine,' said Jim coolly.

'Bearing upon the coming event--eh?' said his partner.

'Exactly,' replied Jim.

Mr. Vine, with some astonishment at the number of cases, shortly
after went away to the kiln; whereupon Jim shut himself into his
rooms, and there he might have been heard ripping up and opening
boxes with a cautious hand, afterwards appearing outside the door