uffer much. That is a great consideration--a very
great consideration."

Hartley, unable to speak, bowed again.

"Change," continued Mr. Vyner, with the air of one uttering a new but
indisputable fact--"change is good for us all. So long as you retain
your present position there is, of course, a little stagnation in the
office; the juniors see their way barred."

He took up a paper-knife and, balancing it between his fingers, tapped
lightly with it on the table.

"Is your daughter likely to be married soon?" he inquired, looking up
suddenly.

Hartley shook his head. "N-no; I don't think so," he said, thickly.

The senior partner resumed his tapping.

"That is a pity," he said at last, with a frown. "Of course, you
understand that Vyner and Son are not anxious to dispense with your
services--not at all. In certain circumstances you might remain with
us another ten or fifteen years, and then go with a good retiring
allowance. At your present age there would be no allowance. Do you
understand me?"

The chief clerk tried to summon a little courage, little dignity.

"I am afraid I don't," he said, in a low voice. "It is all so sudden.
I--I am rather bewildered." Mr. Vyner looked at him impatiently.

He leaned back in his chair, and watched his chief clerk closely

"I said just now," he continued, in a hard voice, "that Vyner and Son
are not anxious to dispense with your services. That is, in a way,
a figure of speech. Mr. Robert knows nothing of this, and I may tell
you--as an old and trusted servant of the firm--that his share as a
partner is at present but nominal, and were he to do anything seriously
opposed to my wishes, such as, for instance--such as a--ha--matrimonial
alliance of which I could not approve, the results for him would be
disastrous. Do you understand?"

In a slow, troubled fashion Hartley intimated that he did. He began
to enter into explanations, and was stopped by the senior partner's
uplifted hand.

"That will do," said the latter, stiffly. "I have no doubt I know all
that you could tell me. It is--ha--only out of consideration for your
long and faithful service that I have--ha--permitted you a glimpse into
my affairs--our affairs. I hope, now, that I have made myself quite
clear."

He leaned back in his chair and, twisting the paper-knife idly between
his fingers, watched his chief clerk closely.

"Wouldn't it be advisable--" began Hartley, and stopped abruptly at the
expression on