The remainder of the evening passed pleasantly, and the next day Andrew received a telegram, requesting him to call on Leonard at the Company's offices. He declined to do so, feeling that if Leonard wished to make terms, he must come to him; and he smiled when another message stated that his brother-in-law would arrive that evening. It was getting dark when Leonard reached Ghyllside and was shown into the library, where Andrew was waiting for him. "If you will let your man keep the horse ready I could catch the new night train back from the junction," he said. "That would, perhaps, suit both of us best." "As you wish," responded Andrew. Leonard laid some papers on the table. "You made me an offer a little while ago." "Which you refused," said Andrew. "I did; things have changed since then." "They have. Though I told the secretary to take care that only a very brief notice of the meeting was sent to the papers, news of what took place has, no doubt, leaked out. It was impossible to prevent this from happening, and it must have had some effect in the city. You are afraid it will damage your prestige and weaken your position." "I'm not prepared to admit that altogether." "It can't be denied. You no longer command public confidence as you did. You'll find it has been rudely shaken." "We'll let that subject drop. I must remind you that your father's will and the partnership deed prevent your getting rid of me unless I'm willing to go." Andrew regarded him with amusement. "I can't deny it, but I think you will be willing. However, I'd better say that I don't wish to take an undue advantage of the situation. What do you propose?" "That you buy me out, as you offered. I've sketched out the terms--you'll find them here, with an estimate of my average profits and what my interest in the firm is worth." He pushed the papers across the table and Andrew carefully studied them before he looked up. "The fairest way would be to submit these figures to an outside accountant. As soon as he has made up a statement, I'll meet you at Carter & Roding's office and get them to draw up any documents that are needed to annul our partnership. Are you agreeable?" "Yes; we'll consider the thing decided." Leonard hesitated for a moment. "I don't see," he added, "that you will gain anything by letting Florence and the others know exactly what we differed about." "I quite agree with you. There are reasons enough to account for the split--the incompatibility of our views on business matters, your objection to taking a subordinate place. Even at the cost of allowing Florence to blame me, the truth must be kept from her." "Thank you!" said Leonard. "I believe I've said all that's needful, and I may as well be off. It's a long drive to the junction."