This was a check to future proceedings, for Harry was deeply affected at the loss. He could not recall the weak woman who had been flattered into marriage without proper settlements by Richard Pellet, but only the tender loving mother, who had always been ready to indulge his every whim; and till after the funeral he was too much unhinged to do more than quietly talk with Sir Richard, who had, on his part, little news to give, save the usual disappointments that follow upon the offering of a reward. The last sad duties performed to the dead, Harry gladly returned to the task left incomplete, seeing in it relief from his oppressive thoughts, and an opportunity of serving one whom he looked upon as a benefactor. Volume 2, Chapter XXI. AT AUSTIN FRIARS. "What name?" asked a clerk. "Pellet--Jared Pellet," said the owner of that name. "Pellet,"--repeated the clerk, hesitatingly; "I'm afraid he's engaged;" and he looked hard at the shabby visitor to Austin Friars, as much as to say, "You're a poor relation, or I'm no judge." "Tell him his brother would be glad of a few minutes' conversation," said Jared, desperately; and he stood gazing over his brother's offices, where, over their gas-lit desks, some half-score clerks were busy writing. It was a bitter day, with a dense yellow fog choking the streets, so that eleven o'clock a.m. might have been eleven o'clock p.m., save for the business going on around. The smoke-burdened vapour had even made its way with Jared into the offices; but the glowing fire in the polished stove was too much for it, and the fog soon shrank away, leaving Jared shivering alone, as much from a strange new-born feeling as from cold, as he was gazed at from time to time by some inquisitive eye. "This way, sir, if you please," said the clerk, and the next minute Jared was standing like a prisoner at the bar before his justice-like brother in a private room--standing, for Richard did not offer him a chair. "I have come to you for advice," said Jared, plunging at once into the object of his visit. "If you had come sooner to me for advice, you would not have been in this plight," said Richard, coldly, as he glanced at his brother's shabby garments, and the worn hat he held in his hand. "But what is it?" Jared stared, for, to the best of his belief, his brother had never given him any advice worth taking. "Time is money to business people," said Richard, for Jared remained silent. "Yes, yes, I know--I know," he said; and then he paused again, as if nerving himself for his task, till once more Richard turned hastily in his chair, and was about to speak. "Bear with me for a few minutes, Dick, and I will tell you all," exclaimed Jared. "I am in bitter affliction." "I suppose so," said Richard, "or you would not have come. There! speak out; how much do you want?" "What! money?" replied Jared; "none. But don't be hard upon me, Dick-- the world can do that."