"I beg your pardon, sir; not the identity, but the resemblance." "A perfectly natural resemblance, under the circumstances, I think you must allow." "Yes; the similarity of the hand-writing is remarkable, certainly." "During the last two hours you have asked the questions which best suited your own pleasure, and he has answered them with great accuracy, without one important mistake. What more can you possibly require?" "I do not stand alone, sir; we claim the time previously fixed for consideration, before we give our final answer. We are, however, much obliged to you, Mr. Reed, for granting the interview, even if its results are not what you may have hoped for. We shall always remember your conduct on this occasion with respect." Mr. Wyllys then offered some refreshments to Mr. Reed; they were accepted, and ordered immediately. Mr. Clapp was standing near Harry, and turning to him, he said: "Mr. Stanley has a favour to ask, Mr. Hazlehurst, though you don't seem disposed to grant him any," he added, with peculiar expression. "'A FAIR field, and no favour,' is a saying you may have heard," replied Hazlehurst, with a slight emphasis on the first word. "But what is your client's request, sir?" Mr. Clapp made a gesture towards the sailor, who then spoke for himself. "I understand that two of my cousins are in the house, and I should be glad to see them before I leave it." "Whom do you mean, sir?" "Elinor Wyllys and Mary Van Alstyne. I haven't seen either of them since they were children; but as I have got but few relations, and no friends it seems, I should like to see them." "You must apply to Mr. Wyllys; the young ladies are under his care," replied Harry, coldly. But Mr. Wyllys took upon himself to refuse the sailor's request, under the circumstances. Having taken some refreshments, Mr. Reed, his brother counsel, and their client now made their bows, and left the house. As they drove from the door, Mr. Reed looked calm and civil, Mr. Clapp very well satisfied; and the sailor, as he took his seat by Mr. Reed, observed, in a voice loud enough to be heard by Harry, who was standing on the piazza: "It turns out just as I reckoned; hard work for a man to get his rights in this here longitude!" CHAPTER XIII. {XXXVI} "Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones!" Taming the Shrew. {William Shakespeare, "The Taming of the Shrew", III.ii.240}