“How do you like this boy, Helen?”

“Very much.  He seems to have been brought up as a gentleman.”

“He has.  Till a short time since he supposed himself the heir to a fortune.”

“Indeed!” said Mrs. Gordon, with curiosity.

Briefly, Mr. Percival rehearsed the story which Frank had told him.

“What a shame!” exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, indignantly.  “His stepfather ought to be punished:” 

“That may come in time.  Wickedness does not always prosper.  But as regards our young friend, I have a plan in view.”

“What is it, father?”

“I find he has an excellent education, having been nearly ready for college when the crisis in his fortunes came.  I have been thinking whether we could not find a place for him in this house.  My eyes, you know, are so weak that they are often strained by attention to my correspondence and reading.  I have an idea of engaging Frank Courtney as a sort of private secretary, upon whom I can at any time call.  Of course, he would have his home in the house.”

“There will be no difficulty about that.  Our family is small, and we have plenty of vacant rooms.  But, father, will he be qualified to undertake the duties you have designed for him?  He is very young.”

“That is true, my dear; but he is remarkably well educated.  I have tested his capacity by dictating a letter for him to copy.”

“Did he do the work satisfactorily?” asked Mrs. Gordon.

“Without a single mistake.”

“Then, father, I would not hesitate to engage him.  Freddie likes him, and will be delighted to have him in the house.”

“Another idea, Helen.  It is time Freddie began to study.  Suppose we make him Freddie’s private tutor—­say for an hour daily?”

“That is really an excellent idea, father,” said Mrs. Gordon, in a tone of satisfaction.  “It will please and benefit Freddie, and be a relief to me.  Do you think Frank will have patience enough?”

“I watched him with the little fellow, and I could see that he liked children.  I am sure he will succeed in this as well as in the duties which he will undertake for me.”

“I suppose he will have no objection to the plan?”

“I think he will accept gladly.  He has had a hard struggle thus far in maintaining himself, and I can relieve him from all anxiety on that score.  I am indebted to him for helping me to recover my bonds, and this will be an excuse for offering him a larger salary than the services of so young a secretary could be expected to command.”

“Very well, father.  Your plan pleases me very much, and I shall be glad to have Frank commence to-morrow, if he chooses.  Now let us return to the library.”

While father and daughter were absent Frank had taken from the table a volume of “Macaulay’s History,” and had become interested in it.

He laid it down upon their return.

Mr. Percival resumed his easy-chair, and said, with a smile.