"Standing directly in the doorway was a pale, thin, emaciated form."

CHAPTER XVIII.

STRATAGEMS OF WAR.

THE servant was just lighting the chandeliers in the parlour of the National Hotel. As the light gradually increased at each successive touch of his taper, and penetrated

VOL. V.-NEW SERIES.

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into the obscurity of the remote window seats, two figures were revealed sitting together by a window, in earnest conversation. They were Hester Broadhead and our hero. A few of the guests of the house were seated about the rooms in small conversational groups; but none were near enough to this window to hear the low, cautious words in which the two were conversing. As the rooms at length were illumined with the full blaze of the chandeliers, and the assembly of persons rapidly augmented, the two moved nearer together and turned their backs upon the company, as if to discourage interruption and salutation until they had finished the busines upon which they were communing.

"What is the matter with Levins ?" inquired Mrs. Broadhead. "It is an unusual occurrence for him to request assistance; he is such a host in himself."

"I am sorry to say," replied Harry Carter, "that his indisposition, or rather prostration of his faculties, arises from excessive drinking. From this cause he is, at times, entirely incapacitated from attending to business, and I am afraid that he is in now for a week, at least, of this terrible debauch. I saw plainly that he could not attend to anything for several days, and I deemed it best to do as he requested in order that we might be prepared for any emergency. Lewis is competent to tak hold of this matter, I know, for father speaks highly of his legal ability; and then I know he is regarded as a leading member of the bar. I left the papers with him. and told him I would consult Mr. Broadhead and you before he need consider himself retained in the suit."

She replied, cautiously, " But don't you think his prominent political views migh weigh against us before the court. These little things influence everybody, and we must have no weak points this time. Wouldn't it be better to secure the services of some prominent democrat?"

"I would advise not," he replied; "the very prominence of the man in the political world will draw a crowd of his political adherents and friends to hear the argument, and will secure the interest in our side of the case, and may very likely give us opportunities to gain an outside influence. The court always gives him an attentive ear, and he is full of expedients for gaining his ends. He is decidedly the best lawyer here that we can secure, and I would say, retain Lewis by all means."

'Well," replied Mrs. Broadhead, "it may be just as well; and if you think best you may retain him at once. We can afford to lose no time, and Lewis will require You may tell him that we will spare no expense to secure a successful termination of this suit."

to study the history of this case.

Harry Carter reflected a moment, and then asked

"Where is Mr. Broadhead? I think I will procure written authority from him to retain Lewis in the suit."

"Never mind Mr. Broadhead," she said, quickly; "he will assent to whatever I do. Come closer. I am very much troubled lately about my husband's conduct. Don't breathe a word of this to any one, I charge you; but he acts strangely, and talks incoherently, and I am concerned lest his litigation may have temporarily unsettled his mind. Why! formerly he was considered a model of generosity, and spent his money with a free hand; but now he absolutely complains of the amount he has to pay Levins for his services, and I think it best not, at present, to inform him that

another lawyer is required to assist Levins: he would storm about it, absolutely. He opposes my extravagance in dressing for the balls here; and altogether is so changed that I am concerned about his mind. By the way, if you are not otherwise engaged, I would like to have you escort me to the ball to-night, or if you are going with some one else, I would like to see you a few moments during the evening, for I want you to give me an introduction to Mrs. Judge Redden, and then, too, I must introduce you to one of the loveliest girls you ever saw. She is beautiful, and will have a handsome fortune left her before long."

"I am going with my cousin, Bess Stapleton, and Miss French," said Harry. "I shall seek an opportunity with pleasure, however, to give you the introduction you request; but as to the fascinating stranger, it is no use. There is something here in my heart that cannot be supplanted. There is the gong, and here is your husband come for you. I promised Bess to come for her. Farewell till the ball." Harry turned to leave her just as her husband came up to them, and was accosted by him in his wild, nervous, disconnected way. "Ah, Mr. Carter, you here? I've been looking for you these two hours. Dreadful business this; this will never answer. Levins must be discharged. Why the man is incompetent-he'll ruin us. diester, this will never do. Mr. Carter, I'll be bankrupt in a month more of this extravagance. Dresses, silks, board, fees, lawyer raving drunk! Hester, I can't stand it. I told you this appeal would ruin us. Going, Mr. Carter? Well, some ther time. Ah, yes, tea is ready. Well, Hester, what shall we do now? We had better go home; these charges of this house are enormous. Miserable man! why I was astounded to find him so; he was perfectly-that is I mean-however, it's no matter now; I'll talk of this after awhile. Yes, you're right; it won't do here. Did you make anything out of Judge Denver to-day? I spoke to his wife; egad, but she's a fine woman! Monstrous-yes, that's the word-monstrous fraud on the plaintiffs, she called it. Why, this Fornell is understood here, I find. Great seamp -but they tell me Neaton is busy here, though-spending money by the bagful. That firm has too much money. Yes, we'll go to tea now. Ah, colonel! how do you do? Great jam this; poor place this for business men, colonel. All consumers here; no producers. Well, this taking men away from useful employments is a shocking business; somebody will have to answer for this some day. Right will prevail. There's justice in heaven yet. What did you remark?-oh, the ball. No; I don't attend balls. I'm a producer; I don't attend balls. I leave that for the consumers-the drones of the hive-ha! ha! What did you remark, my dear?"

The crowd was just emerging from the narrow and crooked hall into the supperrom, when Mrs. Broadhead whispered in her husband's ear

"Don't say another word about the ball. Don't you know the colonel is one of the best dancers in Washington? You must go to this ball to-night with me. I must see some persons who have influence with the judges; and I expect some of them there to-night. Do you hear? Now mind! after tea, you go and buy a nice white silk cravat, a white silk vest, and white kid gloves; put on your best suit of black, and sit in the drawing-room till I am dressed. Not a word about economy. You are going among ladies and gentlemen, and I want you to bridle your tongue to-night about your troubles; not a word at the ball to-night but compliments.