A Daughter of Israel by Fred M. White — Read

As the case usually happens, when we have done something to be ashamed of, Miriam gave herself far more worry and anxiety over the all-important ten-pound note than the donor, by far. Victor Decie never doubted that it was required for some good purpose; and, being young and, consequently, a lover of beauty, pondered upon it for a moment, and straightaway forgot all about it. Miriam carried the note home, with hot cheeks and downcast eyes. On the earliest opportunity, she handed it over to Hazael for safe custody, in pursuance of the plan she had laid; and the latter, in his turn, thinking gold more available than notes, placed it in the shop cashbox, taking out ten pounds, and leaving the note in their place. It is certain that Victor Decie had forgotten the incident, for a month went by without Miriam's warning being in any way conformed.

Meanwhile, to use a conventional expression, the Professor had not been altogether idle. It suited his easy-going Bohemian nature to remain at his old lodgings, making friends of the frequenters of the house--mostly miners, these latter--and livening the monotony by records of his adventures and the occasional introduction of some smart trick with cards or, indeed, anything which came handy. It had been easy enough for him to scrape acquaintance with his nephew, especially as he had a more than passing knowledge of mineralogy, though Sir Percival shook his head over this, and groaned when he heard of his son's occasional visits to the Blue Dragon.