“You're not going without seeing him?” said Clowes. “He 's sure to be in before noon. We are to receive the Harbor Commissioners exactly at twelve.” “I have a call to make, and at some distance off in the country, this morning.” “Well, if I can be of any use to you, just tell me,” said Clowes, good-naturedly. “My position here--one of trust and confidence, you may imagine--gives me many an opportunity to serve a friend; and I like you. I was taken with your manner as you came into the hall this morning, and I said to myself, 'There 's good stuff in that young fellow, whoever he is.' And I ain't wrong. You have some blood in you, I'll be bound.” “We used to be rather bumptious about family,” said Conway, laughing; “but I suspect the world has taught us to get rid of some of our conceit.” “Never mind the world. Pride of birth is a generous prejudice. I have never forgotten that my grandfather, on the mother's side, was a drysalter. But can I be of any use to you? that's the question.” “I 'm inclined to think not; though I 'm just as grateful to you. Mr. Dunn asked me here this morning, I suspect, to talk over the war with me. Men naturally incline to hear what an eyewitness has to say, and he may have fancied I could have mentioned some new fact, or suggested some new expedient, which in these days seems such a fashionable habit, when everybody has his advice to proffer.” “No, no,” said Clowes, shaking his head; “it could n't be that. _We_ have been opposed to this war from the beginning. It was all a mistake, a dead mistake. Aberdeen agreed with us, but we were outvoted. They would have a fight. They said we wanted something to get cotton-spinning out of our blood; and, egad! I suspect they've got it. “Our views,” continued Clowes, pompously, “were either a peace or a march to St. Petersburg. This French alliance is a rotten thing, sir. That Corsican will double on us. The very first moment any turn of fortune gives France an advantage, _he 'll_ make peace, and leave us all the obloquy of a reluctant assent. That's _his_ view,--that's mine, too; and we are seldom mistaken.” “For all that, I wish I were back there again,” said Conway. “With every one of its hardships--and they were no trifles--it was a better life than this lounging one I lead now. Tell Mr. Dunn that I was here. Say that I enjoyed your excellent hospitality and pleasant company; and accept my hearty thanks for both.” And with a cordial shake of the hand, Conway wished him “Good-bye,” and departed. “That's just the class of men we want in our army,” said Clowes, as he followed him with his eyes. “A stamp somewhat above the common,--a very fine young fellow too.” In less than a quarter of an hour after Conway's departure, Davenport Dunn's carriage drew up at his door, and Mr. Clowes hastened to receive his master. “Are they out, sir,--are they out?” said he, eagerly, as he followed him into the study.