As it was, when Mr. Bell died, Mr. Stewart chanced to be abroad. On his return he casually inquired what had become of the daughter, and being informed that her aunt had taken the orphan to her own home, let the matter drop out of his recollection. Of Heather’s connection with Arthur Dudley he was completely ignorant, and Arthur was not the man to acquaint him with it. But yet, while the Squire sat opposite to his host at breakfast, he was wondering whether in due course of time, if the fact did by any chance come to Mr. Stewart’s knowledge, it might not prove beneficial to himself; induce the director to withdraw his opposition concerning the purchase of that “desirable house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, with yard at the back, over which a large room could be built (see advertisement), and the right of walking in the gardens of the Square.” Why this last clause always presented itself to Arthur Dudley’s mind, it would be somewhat difficult to say, since a board of directors is not usually alive to the advantages of a “key to the Square;” but still, that it did present itself is unquestionable, and he thought about it while Mr. Stewart said he was glad to hear his visitor had decided not to press the matter on the Company, but to accept the secretaryship, and take up his residence in Lincoln’s Inn. “A very good situation for a dwelling,” finished Mr. Stewart, who would as soon have thought of living in Lincoln’s Inn as he would have thought of flying; “and a good house too. You are married, I presume?” Arthur admitted the correctness of Mr. Stewart’s supposition. “That is right; every man ought to marry,” said the bachelor. “Have you any children?” “Two—a boy and girl,” said the Squire; “one of them is in very bad health. I do not know what her mother will think about bringing her to town.” “You have not mentioned your intentions, then, to Mrs. Dudley?” said Mr. Stewart, apparently surprised. “I thought it would be time enough to tell her when the matter was settled,” answered Arthur. “Evidently, then, you will not consider it necessary to take your wife into your confidence concerning all the affairs of our Company?” suggested the director. “I do not think women ever understand anything of business matters,” Arthur replied; then, noticing Mr. Stewart smile, he added, “and I am positive my wife would not wish me to tell her any of the affairs of my principals.” “I have heard of Mrs. Dudley as a lady of an excellent discretion,” said Mr. Stewart. “You do not expect me to praise my own wife,” answered Arthur, deprecating this praise; and the evasion was really rather a clever one for him. If he had praised her at all, however, it would simply have been as his wife, and because she belonged to him, not in her mere capacity as a woman.