"A very little--he's plaguey quiet on matters in that quarter. He was very anxious to know what he said when he saw her, what she said, and you said; and after he had got all that _he_ wanted, you might as well have tried to elicit confidence from an oyster. I try every day to bring the topic round, but he dances away from it, or curtly tells me to shut up. And now, may I ask a question?" "If you will," said Mattie, a little nervously. "What does Miss Wesden think?--you have seen her very frequently since the meeting at Doctor Bario's?" "On the contrary, I have not seen her at all." "Miss Gray! Miss Gray!" he said, reproachfully, "you are not working heart and soul with me! Here are two human beings who love each other, and will never be happy without each other, and we are letting time go by and harden them." "I thought that Miss Wesden would have called here, and that we might have proceeded on _our_ plan with less formality. But if she do not come shortly, I must visit her." "Thank you--just sound her, if you can. She's a girl that will not be ashamed to own what impression the meeting with Sidney has made upon her; and after that, we'll set to work in earnest." "I will write to her this evening, asking her to spend an hour with me." "Ah! that's a good plan--looks better than calling. Now I will just tell you how we might manage to bring Sidney and her together--you're not busy?" "No." "Nor I. I have given myself the whole day to mature this plan, and if you consider it feasible, why we will carry it out, and chance the _dénouement_." He tilted his chair on to its front legs, and leaned across the counter to more closely impress Mattie with his logic; at the same instant the door opened, and Mr. Gray entered and gave him good day. "Pleased to see you, Mr. Hinchford; you bring good news, I hope, of my absent partner?" "The best of news, sir," answered Maurice; "your daughter will tell you how well he is progressing, and whither we have taken him. You are at home for the day, I suppose, sir?" "Yes--will you step into the parlour, and take a quiet cup of tea with us. We shall be proud of your company, and I shall be glad to have a little talk with you afterwards." "Thank you, I have not dined yet, and--and I am very much pressed for time to-day, or nothing would have given me greater pleasure. Some other time, I hope, I shall be more fortunate. Please excuse this hasty visit, but business must be attended to--good-bye, sir--good-bye, Miss Gray--how late it is, to be sure!" And backing and bowing politely, Maurice Hinchford reached the shop-door, darted through it, and dashed away from his tormentor. "That young man is always in a terrible hurry," said Mr. Gray; "a good man of business, with a knowledge of the value of time, I daresay. Still he should not give up serious thoughts for thoughts of money-making entirely. I hope to find him more at his leisure shortly."