“Well,” said the merchant in a fidgety manner, “I thought you and Clara were engaged to be married--engaged to be married pretty soon, and things were floating along smoothly, you know. Yes, sir, and I had given my consent, you remember, at your solicitation, and I was making my arrangements accordingly, for you see I had confidence in you, Ernest, since I have known you from a child--yes from a child. I told you, don’t you remember, that I had some business affairs which I could not manage--could not manage, because I’m no lawyer.” “Well,” interrupted Ernest, “you can tell me what the business is, and I will do the best I can with it.” “But you don’t understand, Ernest--you don’t understand. It wouldn’t be proper just yet to tell you. I said it was a delicate matter--a delicate matter, just as things now are. You see I thought everything was working well. I thought this contract between you and Clara would soon be executed--would soon be executed, and then I could with propriety put this business in your hands--in your hands, Ernest, because you would, you would sustain a closer relation to me than you do now, and then I could let you know all my plans--know all my plans, which wouldn’t be proper just yet--just yet, you know. You understand how I am situated.” “I cannot say that I do,” replied Ernest with a smile, “for you have told me nothing in regard to your situation.” “I have told you all I can, Ernest--all I can till that affair comes off--comes off.” “What affair, Mr. Vanclure?” “The engagement between you and Clara, of course, of course. I thought all would be over in a few weeks--yes, in a few weeks. But I fear there is a misunderstanding somewhere, and I thought there’d be no harm in finding out--in finding out, you see.” “What is it you wish to find out, Mr. Vanclure?” “Well, you see, I got a hint from Clara, a hint from Clara, and I thought I’d better find out,--better find out.” “I am perfectly willing to give you any information in my possession,” said Ernest. “I thought so, I thought so, and I’ll come to the point at once. You see it was a lawyer I wanted. A preacher and a lawyer are very different people. I could make no use of a preacher--no, sir, no use of a preacher, you understand?” “I do not understand, Mr. Vanclure.” “I got a hint from Clara--a hint from Clara, and I thought I’d better come, and find out about it, before it’s too late.” “What is it you wish to find out, Mr. Vanclure?” interrupted Ernest. “Why, I thought you’d see at once--yes, at once, after my explanation.” Ernest smiled internally. “I confess, Mr. Vanclure, that I am so obtuse mentally, that I have failed to understand your explanation.” “What? can’t you see--can’t you see that a lawyer and a preacher are two different people--two different people?” “Yes, sir; I see that clearly.” “Well, I gave you to understand that a lawyer would suit me--would suit me, and I thought you were a lawyer.” “So I am.”