First, to lose a woman, to be jilted, to have an heiress slip out of his fingers, to be supplanted by a wealthier suitor, to be flung back from the height of prospective affluence to the dead level of certain poverty, and then to be congratulated on the subject, and called a lucky fellow! To hear another man who had gained the prize pitied for his, success, and he, Arthur, felicitated on having chosen a wife who did not suit him in the least. Arthur knew Heather did not suit him—that she was not the woman he ought to have married. At that moment he felt very ungrateful both towards Heaven and the helpmeet Heaven had sent him, and he felt further that he hated Mr. Black with a perfect hatred, for which reason, as he could not think of any specially clever or cutting remark that might advantageously be uttered, he turned the conversation into a channel which he thought must prove disagreeable to Mr. Black, and said,— “Speaking of Croft, Stewart called on me yesterday.” “Ah, yes,” answered the promoter, briskly; “been down staying with his cousin, the Honourable Augusta, I hear. That would be a nice suitable match, now; thought it likely he might call. He told you he meant to oppose the purchase of your Lincoln’s Inn speculation, I suppose?” “Your Lincoln’s Inn speculation, rather,” retorted Arthur, a little indignantly. “_Our_ Lincoln’s Inn speculation, then, to meet the views of both parties,” proposed Mr. Black. “So he called to tell you about that, did he? People’s ideas of civility differ. I would just as soon call on a man to pick his pocket as to inform him I meant to overthrow his plans.” “That was not Mr. Stewart’s sole object in calling,” remarked Arthur. “Oh! indeed; and what might his object be, if I am not too inquisitive?” “Not at all; I came up partly on purpose to tell you. Guess the nature of the proposal he made.” “That you should wind up the Company, or try to do so; that he and you and Mr. Raidsford and Lord Kemms should start an opposition bakery of your own; that you should purchase Mr. Scrotter’s flour-mill, and sell it to the Company; that you and Mr. Stewart should agree to support each other through everything. There, I have guessed often enough. What is this wonderful proposal which he made to you yesterday?” “Guess again. I would rather that you jumped at it yourself.” “Hang it! I can’t guess what the old humbug wanted with you. Did he propose marrying one of your sisters?—or——I have it!” exclaimed Mr. Black; “he offered you the secretaryship?” “He did.” “And you accepted it?” “No, I did not: I felt a delicacy——”