WYLDER'S HAJV1) 187
"Have you heard anything since, Mr Larkin? Can
you conjecture where his address may now he?" asked
the Vicar, a little abruptly.
"Oh! Mr. Mark Wylder, perhaps, you refer to?"
"Yes; my brother, Mark,"
Mr. Larkin smiled a sad and simple smile, and shook
his head.
"I have heard from him this morning, however," re-
marked the lawyer; "he was pleased to direct a power
of attorney to me to receive his rents and sign receipts;
and he proposes making Lord Yiscount Chelford and
Captain Lake trustees, to fund his money or otherwise in-
vest it for his use, and " —
"Has he — I beg pardon — but did he mention a little
matter in which I am deeply — indeed, vitally interest-
ed?" The Vicar paused.
"I don't quite apprehend; perhaps if you were to
frame your question a little differently, I might possibly
— a — you were saying " —
"I mean a matter of very deep interest to me," said
the poor Vicar, coloring a little, "though no very consid-
erable sum, viewed absolutely; but, under my unfortu-
nate circumstances, of the most urgent importance — a
loan of three hundred pounds — did he mention it?"
Again Mr. Larkin shook his head, with the same sad
smile.
"But, though we do not know how to find him, he
knows very well where to find us — and no doubt he re-
collects his promise, and will transmit the necessary direc-
tions all in good time."
"I earnestly hope he may," and the poor cleric lifted
up his eyes unconsciously and threw his hope into the
form of a prayer. "For, to speak frankly, Mr. Larkin;
my circumstances are very pressing. I have just heard