"Those are low terms--with talent and connection too, I should think he could have done better." "Why, you see his connections were of little use to him while he was alone, for he was so desperately poor that they did not like to acknowledge him, but I knew as soon as he began to rise they would all notice him, and so it has proved. I have no doubt I shall gain through them more than the thousand dollars a-year which Sprague will draw, while I shall be saved every thing that is really disagreeable or laborious in my practice; and you give two thousand dollars a-year, and are to have your daughter married to a gentleman who leaves all the business on your hands--which of us, do you think, has attended most successfully to the main chance?" "According to my views of the main chance, it is not to be determined by such data--but even in your own view we may have a very different account to render nine years hence?" "Ah, well! Ten years from the day that Latimer passed we will compare notes." Ten years are long in prospective, but it seemed to both parties only a short time when the appointed anniversary came. On that day Mr. Cavendish invited several of his brother lawyers, and amongst them Mr. Duffield, to dinner. Herbert Latimer, his wife and mother, his two noble boys, and though last, not least in importance, if in size, his little girl, her grandfather's especial pet, were of the party. It was a well assorted party. The guests found good cheer and social converse--the cherished friends of the house, food for deeper and higher enjoyment When the ladies had withdrawn, calling Herbert Latimer to the head of the table, Mr. Cavendish seated himself beside Mr. Duffield. "Well, Duffield!" he exclaimed, "do you know that it is ten years to-day since Herbert Latimer stood before us for examination?" "Ah!" ejaculated Mr. Duffield, in the tone of one who did not care to pursue the subject further. "You remember our agreement--are you still willing to make our success in that time a test of the truth of our respective principles?" "It may afford a more conclusive proof of your better judgment in the selection of an associate." "Sprague stands very high in his profession." "Yes--I knew he would, for he has talent and connection--therefore I chose him; but he left me just at the time these were beginning to be available, as soon as the five years for which our agreement was made, had expired." "What occasioned his leaving you?" "Why, Duval offered him better terms than I had done--I should not have cared so much for his going, but he carried off many of my clients, with whom he had ingratiated himself during his connection with me. My practice has scarcely recovered yet from the injury which he did it." "He seems to have acted on your own principle, and to have considered the main chance to mean the most money." "And do you suppose Latimer would have remained with you if he could have made better terms for himself?"