CONTENTS. Page Prologue . On Deck--Curry and Culture--Alternative Distractions--A Period of Probation--The Oath and the Talisman--Wavering--A Chronological Error--The Time Bargain--Tourmalin Opens an Account 1 Chapter I . Tourmalin's First Cheque, and How he Took It. Fidelity Rewarded--Love's Catechism--Brain-fag--a Timely Recollection--The Experiment, and some Startling Results--Question Time--"Dear Friends"--A Compromise 21 Chapter II . The Second Cheque. Furnishing--A Cosy Corner--"Sitting Out"--Fresh Discoveries--Twice a Hero--Bewilderment and Bathos 38 Chapter III . The Third Cheque. Good Resolutions--Casuistry--A Farewell Visit--Small Profit and a Quick Return 52 Chapter IV . The Fourth Cheque. A Blue Moon--Felicity in a Flat--Practical Astronomy--Temptation and a Relapse--The Difficulties of being Completely Candid--A Slight Misunderstanding--The Avenging Orange 66 Chapter V . Periodic Drawings. A Series of Cheques: their Advantages and Drawbacks--An Unknown Factor--Uncompleted Confidences--Ibsen, with Intervals--A Disappointment--A "Search-question" from Sophia--Confidence Restored 80 Chapter VI . Foil and Counterfoil. The Duties of Authorship--Peter's Continued Perversity and its Unforeseen Results--"Alfred"--The Tragic Note--An Interrupted Crisis--A Domestic Surprise 100 Chapter VII . The Culminating Cheque. Sophia Gives an Explanation, and Requests One--Her Verdict--Peter Overruled 114 Chapter VIII . Paid in His Own Coin. In Suspense: a Gleam of Comfort--Darkness Returns--The Rock Ahead--Sir William Lends his Binocular--Reappearance of an Old Enemy--A New Danger--Out of the Frying-pan 129 Chapter IX . Compound Interest. Back to the Fire Again--A Magnanimous Return--Catching at Straws--Two Total Strangers--Purely a Question of Precedence--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded"--The Last Chance 145 Chapter X . DEnoument 165 The Epilogue 170