Then he arose, made his toilet, read a portion of the Scriptures, offered up his morning prayers, and went below stairs. In the breakfast parlor he found Bee, the busy little house-keeper, fluttering softly around the breakfast table, and adding a few finishing touches to its simple elegance. Very fair, fresh, and blooming looked Bee in her pale golden ringlets and her pretty morning dress of white muslin with blue ribbons. There was no one else in the room; but Bee advanced and held out her hand to him. He took her hand, and retaining it in his own for a moment, said: "Oh, Bee! yesterday, last night!" "'Upbraid not the past; it comes not back again.' Ishmael! bury it; forget it; and press onward!" replied Bee sweetly and solemnly. He raised her hand with the impulse to carry it to his lips; but refraining, bowed his forehead over it instead, and then gently released it. For Ishmael's affection for Bee was reverential. To him she appeared saintly, Madonna-like, almost angelic. "Let me make breakfast for you at once, Ishmael. It is not of the least use to wait for the others. Mamma, I know, is not awake yet, and none of the gentlemen have rung for their hot water." "And you, Bee; you will also breakfast now?" "Certainly." And she rang and gave her orders. And the coffee, muffins, fried fresh perch, and broiled spring chickens speedily made their appearance. "Jim," she said to the waiter who set the breakfast on the table, "tell cook to keep some of the perch and pullets dressed to put over the fire the moment she hears the judge's bell ring, so that his breakfast may be ready for him when he comes down." "Very well, miss," answered Jim, who immediately left the room to give the order; but soon returned to attend upon the table. So it was a tete-a-tete meal, but Bee made it very pleasant. After breakfast Ishmael left Bee to her domestic duties and went up into the office to look after the letters and papers that had been left for him by the penny postman that morning. He glanced over the newspapers; read the letters; selected those he would need during the day; put the others carefully away; tied up his documents; took up his hat and gloves, and set out for his daily business at the City Hall. In the ante-chamber of the Orphans' Court Room he met old Wiseman, who clapped him on the shoulder, exclaiming: "How are you this morning, old fellow? All right, eh?" "Thank you, I am quite well again," replied Ishmael. "Ah ha! nothing like good brandy to get one up out of a fit of exhaustion." "Ah!" exclaimed Ishmael, with a shudder. "Well, and have you thought over what we were talking of yesterday?" "It was--" Ishmael began, and then hesitated. "It was about your going into partnership with me." "Oh, yes! so it was! but I have not had time to think of it yet." "Well, think over it today, will you, and then after the court has adjourned come to my chambers and talk the matter over with me. Will you?" "Thank you, yes, certainly."