In all this Mark's better judgment coincided; but he had no moral courage,
and, fearing the cut and color of his somewhat outre-looking brother's
garments might excite the remarks of his fashionable guests, he would have
gladly disposed of him in some private manner till the company had
departed. Finding him, however, totally insensible to all such
considerations, he concluded to make the best of it, and accordingly at
once led the way into the guest-crowded apartments.

Here, contrary to his doubting brother's expectation, Arthur Elwood, whose
character appeared to be known to several of the wealthier guests, was soon
treated with much respect, for, in addition to what a previous knowledge of
him secured, Mrs. Elwood had promptly come forward to greet him, and be
cordially greeted in return, and, unlike her husband, had not hesitated
to bestow on him publicly the most marked attentions. As soon, however, as
she had thus testified her sense of the superiority of worth over outward
appearance, and thus, by her delicate tact, given him the consideration
with the company which she thought belonged to the brother of her husband,
she gracefully relinquished him to the latter; when the two, by tacit
mutual consent, sought a secluded corner, and seated themselves for a
private conversation.

"As I said, I did not expect you, Arthur," commenced Mark Elwood, in the
unsteady and hesitating tone of one about to broach a matter in which he
felt a deep interest. "I was not looking for you here at all, these days;
but presumed, when I wrote you, that, if you concluded to grant the favor I
asked, you would transact the business through the mail."

"Loans of money are not always favors, Mark," responded the other,
thoughtfully; "and when I make them, I like to know whether they promise