“I have no objection to that,” said he, turning to Mr. Carden.  Then, after another look at Jael, he said, demurely, “Is there any insurance office you could recommend?”

Mr. Carden smiled.  “There is only one I have a right to recommend, and that is the ‘Gosshawk.’  I am a director.  But,” said he, with sudden stiffness, “I could furnish you with the names of many others.”

Henry saw his way clear by this time.  “No, sir, if I profit by your advice, the least I can do is to choose the one you are a director of.”

Grace, who had latterly betrayed uneasiness and irritation, now rose, red as fire.  “The conversation is taking a turn I did not at all intend,” said she, and swept out of the room with royal disdain.

Her father apologized carelessly for her tragical exit.  “That is a young lady who detests business; but she does not object to its fruits—­dresses, lace, footmen, diamonds, and a carriage to drive about in.  On the contrary, she would be miserable without them.”

“I should hope she never will be without them, sir.”

“I’ll take care of that.”

Mr. Carden said this rather dryly, and then retired for a minute; and Grace who was not far off, with an ear like a hare, came back soon after.

But in the meantime Henry left his seat and went to Jael, and, leaning over her as she worked, said, “There is more in that head of yours than I thought.”

“Oh, they all talk before me,” said Jael, blushing faintly, and avoiding his eye.

“Jael Dence,” said the young man, warmly, “I’m truly obliged to you.”

“What for?”

“For your good advice.  I didn’t see how good it was till after I had taken it.”

“I’m afeard Miss Grace gave you better.”

“She advised me against my heart.  What is the use of that?”

“Ay, young men are willful.”

“Come, come, don’t you go back.  You are my friend and counselor.”

“That is something,” said Jael, in a low voice; and her hands trembled at her side.

“Why, my dear girl, what’s the matter?”

“Hush! hush?”

CHAPTER VIII.

Grace came in, that moment, with a superb air.  She settled herself on the sofa.

“Now, it is my turn, if you please.  Pray, sir, do you think your life will be any safer for your insuring it?  Insuring does not mean that you are not to be killed; but that, when you are, for your obstinacy, somebody else will get paid some money, to dance with over your grave.”

“I beg your pardon, Grace,” said Mr. Carden, entering with some printed papers in his hand.  “That is not the only use of an insurance.  He may want to marry, or to borrow a sum of money to begin business; and then a policy of insurance, with two or three premiums paid, smooths the difficulty.  Everybody should make a will, and everybody should insure his life.”