“I am only a simple girl,” murmured one of the orphans, with a nervous blush; “but does not a recent statute give trustees power to invest the funds of their cestui que trusts in securities yielding a larger return than 23/4 Goschens?”

“Do not bandy words with me, Miss,” replied the lawyer, angrily; “I shall act as I please, and if you or I ask for the estate to be administered, it will cost you a pretty penny.”

“Which no doubt will find its way into your pocket,” returned the maiden, simply.  “But surely a 41/2 mortgage on real property can be obtained without risk, if you do not act contrary to the provisions of the Trustee Relief Act?”

But the lawyer was very angry, and threatened her that if she made any further complaint he would appeal to the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, which would mean, probably, the absorption of the entire estate in a gigantic bill of costs.

So, with a sigh, the maiden and her brother retired.  That night, as she was sitting over the fire, before retiring to rest, she had a dream, when a nice-looking old gentleman appeared before her, and asked her “why she was so sad?”

“Because we have a lawyer for our trustee, who is most unobliging, and expensive.  I am afraid, kind Sir, you cannot help us.”

“Do not say so until you have perused this scroll,” he replied, with a benevolent smile, and he gave her a paper.  “To-morrow, if your trustee again threatens you, and offers to retire, take him at his word.  If I replace him, I will do all you wish—­enter into mortgages, invest your capital to the best possible advantage, and make myself generally amiable.”

“But how shall we pay you for so much kindness?” asked the now overjoyed maiden.

“By a tariff fixed by the Government.  It will be my duty to do my best for you, and I shall have no personal interest in running up costs like the common (or garden) kind of family Solicitor.”

So the next day, when the lawyer began to threaten to resign, the orphans took him at his word, and all that the nice-looking old gentleman had foretold came to pass.  And when the orphans were getting the best possible interest for their money, at a trifling expense, the maiden looked at the scroll which had been given to her, and found it was inscribed, “The Public Trustee Act.”

And, so far as the lawyer, who had been discarded, knew (or cared), the maiden and her brother lived happily ever afterwards.

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

More about DICKENS.  By the loving hand of PERCY FITZGERALD the Bookmaker,—­not sporting, but literary.  Of making books, with PERCY FITZ there is no end.  He is the king of the Bookmakers, Per se Fitz.  This time it is the History of the Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, published by CHAPMAN AND HALL, and “inscribed”—­why not “dedicated?”—­to HENRY FIELDING