new-found abuse which her brother was about to reform;--at least
nothing which connected it with her brother's name.

He sat thinking for a while till he determined that it would be best
to tell her at once what it was that he was about: it must be done
sooner or later.

"I fear I cannot go to Mr Harding's house any more as a friend, just
at present."

"Oh, John! Why not? Ah, you've quarrelled with Eleanor!"

"No, indeed," said he; "I've no quarrel with her as yet."

"What is it, John?" said she, looking at him with an anxious, loving
face, for she knew well how much of his heart was there in that house
which he said he could no longer enter.

"Why," said he at last, "I've taken up the case of these twelve
old men of Hiram's Hospital, and of course that brings me into
contact with Mr Harding. I may have to oppose him, interfere with
him,--perhaps injure him."

Mary looked at him steadily for some time before she committed
herself to reply, and then merely asked him what he meant to do
for the old men.

"Why, it's a long story, and I don't know that I can make you
understand it. John Hiram made a will, and left his property in
charity for certain poor old men, and the proceeds, instead of going