rief and business-like in all he said, whom he
found awaiting him. He was busy with some one else when Harry entered,
talking coolly and rapidly on business matters, and neither voice nor
manner changed as he turned to him.

There was a good deal said about matters that Harry thought might very
well have been kept till another time; there were notes compared and
letters read and books examined. There were some allusions to past
transactions, inquiries and directions, all in the fewest possible
words, and in the quietest manner. Harry, replied, assented and
suggested, making all the time the strongest effort to appear as there
was nothing, and could be nothing, beyond these dull details to interest
him.

There came a pause at last. Mr Ruthven did not say in words that he
need not wait any longer, but his manner, as he looked up, and turned
over a number of letters that had just been brought in, said it plainly.
Indeed, he turned quite away from him, and seemed absorbed in his
occupation. Harry waited till the lad that brought in the letters had
mended the fire, and fidgeted about the room, and gone out again; then
he said, in a voice that ought to have been quiet and firm, for he took
a great deal of pains to make it so,--

"Mr Ruthven, may I trespass a moment on your valuable time _now_?"

Mr Ruthven immediately laid his letters on the table, and turned round.
Harry thought, like a man who found it necessary to address himself,
once for all, to the performance of an unpleasant duty. Certainly, he
had time to attend to anything of importance that Mr Elliott might have
to say.

"It is a matter of great importance to _me_, and I have been led to
suppose that it is of some consequence to you. The Western agency--"

"You are right. It is of great consequence to the firm. There is,
perhaps, no immediate necessity for deciding--"

"I beg your pardon, sir, there is absolute necessity for my knowing at
once, whether it is your pleasure that I should be employed in it."

"Will a single day make much difference to you?" said Mr Ruthven,
looking gravely at the young man, who was certainly not so calm as he
meant to be.

"Excuse me, sir, many days have passed since. But, Mr Ruthven, it is
better I should spare you the pain of saying that you no longer consider
me fit for the situation. Allow me, then, to inform you that I wish--
that I no longer wish to remain in your employment."

"Harry," said Mr Ruthven, gr