comfortable
arm-chair, at a pleasanter fireside."

"Business, business," repeated Charlie, gravely. "I assure you that
Harry out there, and I here, have had all that we have been able to
attend to during the last three months. It is only to the unexpected
delay of the steamer that I owe the leisure of this evening."

"You expect us to believe all that, I suppose," said Graeme, laughing.

"Indeed, you may believe me, Miss Elliott. It is quite true. I can't
understand how it is that my wise brother can stay away so long just
now. If he does not know how much he is needed it is not for want of
telling, I assure you."

"You hear often from him, I suppose?"

"Yes. I had a note from Lilias the other day, in a letter I got from my
mother. She sent `kind regards' to the Misses Elliott, which I take the
present opportunity of delivering."

"Business having hitherto prevented," said Rose.

"You don't seem to have faith in my business engagements, Miss Rose; but
I assure you that Harry and I deserve great credit for having carried on
the business so successfully for the last three months."

"Where is Mr Gilchrist?" asked Arthur.

"Oh, he's here, there, and everywhere. But Mr Gilchrist is an `old
fogey,' and he has not helped but hindered matters, now and then. It is
not easy getting on with those slow-going, obstinate old gentlemen; I
can't understand how Allan used to manage him so well. However, he had
unbounded confidence in Allan's powers, and let him do as he pleased."

"And the obstinate old gentleman has not unbounded confidence in the
powers of you and Harry?" said Arthur, laughing. "Upon the whole I
think, in the absence of your brother, it is as well, that you two lads
should have some check upon you, now and then."

"Not at all, I assure you," said Charlie. "As for Harry--Miss Elliott,
I wish I could tell you half the kind things I hear about Harry from our
correspondents out there."

Graeme smiled brightly. She was permitting herself to rely entirely
upon Harry now.

"But, Charlie," said Will from his corner, "what is this nonsense you
have been telling Harry about Arthur and the beautiful Miss Grove?"

Charlie started and coloured, and so did Graeme, and both glanced
hastily at Arthur, who neither started nor coloured, as Graeme was very
glad to perceive.

"Nonsense!" said Charlie, with a great show of astonishment and
indignation. "I don't understand you, Will."

"Will," said Rose,