“Heaven grant it may be so!” the young man exclaimed, with a sigh.  “You hold a dazzling picture before me; but I have little expectation of realizing it.”

“It will be your own fault if you do not,” the tempter rejoined.  “You are equally well-favoured with the handsomest of them; and it was by good looks alone that the whole party rose to their present eminence.  Why not pursue the same course; with the same certainty of success?  You have courage enough to undertake it, I presume?”

“If courage alone were wanting, I have that,” the young man replied;—­“but I am wholly unknown in town.  How then shall I accomplish an introduction at Court, when I know not even its humblest attendant?”

“I have already said you were lucky in meeting with me,” Sir Francis replied; “and I find you were luckier than I supposed, when I told you so; for I knew not then towards what bent your desires tended, nor in what way I could help you; but now, finding out the boldness of your flight, and the high game you aim at, I am able to offer you effectual assistance, and give you an earnest of a prosperous issue.  Through my means you shall be presented to the king, and in such sort that the presentation shall not be idly made.  It will rest then with yourself to play your cards dexterously, and to follow up a winning game.  Doubtless, you will have many adversaries, who will trip up your heels if they can, and throw every obstacle in your way; but if you possess the strong arm I fancy you do, and daring to second it, you have nothing to fear.  As I am a true gentleman! you shall have good counsel, and a friend in secret to back you.”

“To whom am I indebted for this most gracious and unlooked-for offer?” the young man asked, his breast heaving, and his eye flashing with excitement.

“To one you may perchance have heard of,” the knight answered, “as the subject of some misrepresentation; how justly applied, you yourself will be able to determine from my present conduct.  I am Sir Francis Mitchell.”

At the mention of this name the young man started, and a deep angry flush overspread his face and brow.

Perceiving the effect produced, the wily knight hastened to remove it.

“My name, I see, awakens unpleasant associations in your breast,” he said; “and your look shows you have been influenced by the calumnies of my enemies.  I do not blame you.  Men can only be judged of by report; and those I have had dealings with have reported ill enough of me.  But they have spoken falsely.  I have done no more than any other person would do.  I have obtained the best interest I could for my money; and my losses have been almost equal to my gains.  Folks are ready enough to tell all they can against you; but slow to mention aught they conceive to be in your favour.  They stigmatize me as a usurer; but they forget to add, I am ever the friend of those in need.  They use me, and abuse me.  That is the way of the world.  Wherefore, then, should I complain?  I am no worse off than my neighbours.  And the proof that I can be disinterested is the way in which I have acted towards you, a perfect stranger, and who have no other recommendation to my good offices than your gracious mien and gentle manners.”