"Has taken exception to a trifling informality, upon which we may be thrown out of court. It is the merest trifle in the world; but it is a lawyer's business to make a mountain out of a molehill, and Harrison's counsel is good at that work." "And what then?" "It is impossible to say what then." "Can we not begin again with an amended bill?" "Not unless all the costs that have accrued be paid; and they will be heavy." "How much?" "It is impossible now to tell. I shall immediately prepare an answer to this demurrer, and have it argued at the earliest possible day. I have strong hopes of satisfying the court that it is a very unimportant informality, in no way affecting the main question, and thus secure a hearing on the bill itself." "And if successful in this, what is your opinion now as to the result on the main question." "Not quite so favorable as it was," replied Dunbar, with some gravity. "The defendant has some strong points to urge, and will bring forward proofs to substantiate his title that we had no idea were in existence." "Indeed!" Malcolm's face had a look of blank astonishment. "I am sorry to find that it is so. They are working hard to defeat us, and will leave no stone unturned. Harrison, you know, has all the money on his side, and money is powerful." Poor Malcolm went home feeling most wretched. Up to this point, all his expectations had been of the most sanguine character. Now his hopes were dashed to the earth, and he saw not only the golden harvest he had expected to reap left, in all probability, for the sickle of another, but his own unfruitful field in danger of passing out of his possession. "Fool that I was!" he muttered to himself, as he walked home from the lawyer's office. "I should have taken Harrison's offer in spite of Dunbar." "Why not take it as it is?" said his wife to him, after he had mentioned to her the new aspect assumed by the case, and expressed again his regret at not having compromised when it was in his power. "Sure enough! I will see Harrison this very hour. He offered twenty-five thousand dollars. Ten will have to go to Dunbar, I suppose; but that will leave us fifteen thousand dollars, and upon this we can make a fair start, and get on very well. Yes I will see him at once." "Do. It is your best course. I have no faith in these lawyers. When a man once goes into their hands, they snap their fingers at his judgment." "True enough. Yes, I will see Harrison and take his offer." Old Mr. Harrison was sitting in his counting room, looking over a newspaper, and feeling in a pleasant state of mind, when his relative, who had commenced a suit in the hope of dispossessing him of his property, entered. The brow of Harrison contracted the moment he saw him. Malcolm felt embarrassed, but entered at once upon the business of his visit. "I have concluded," he said, "to accept your offer to compromise this suit." "The deuce you have!" returned Harrison with a sneer.