“Dove and Dove’s,” repeated Hamish. “Nice gentlemen, both of them!” he added, in his half-pleasant, half-sarcastic manner. “Arthur, boy, I’d not be under Dove and Dove if they offered me a gold nugget a day, as weighty as the Queen’s crown. You must not go there.” “They are not agreeable men; I know that; they are not men who are liked in Helstonleigh, but what difference will that make to me? So long as I turn out their parchments properly engrossed, that is all I need care for.” “What has happened? Why are you looking so sad?” reiterated Hamish, who could not fail to perceive that there was some strange grief at work. “Is my life so sunny just now, that I can always be as bright as you?” retorted Arthur--for Hamish’s undimmed gaiety did sometimes jar upon his wearied spirit. “I shall go to Dove and Dove’s if they will take me,” he added, resolutely. “Will you answer for me, Hamish, in my father’s name?” “What amount of security do they require?” asked Hamish. And it was a very proper, a very natural question; but even that grated on Arthur’s nerves. “Are you afraid of me?” he rejoined. “Or do you fear my father would be?” “I dare say they would take my security,” was Hamish’s reply. “I will answer for you to any amount. That is,” and again came his smile, “to any amount they may deem me good for. If they don’t like mine, I can offer my father’s. Will that do, Arthur?” “Thank you; that is all I want.” “Don’t go to Dove and Dove’s, old boy,” Hamish said again, as Arthur was leaving the room. “Wait patiently for something better to turn up. There’s no such great hurry. I wish there was room for you to come here!” “It is only a temporary thing; it is not for long,” replied Arthur; and he went out. On going back to Dove and Dove’s, the first person he saw, upon opening the door of the clerks’ room, was Mr. Alfred Dove. He appeared to be in a passion over something that had gone wrong, and was talking fast and furiously. “What do you want?” he asked, wheeling round upon Arthur. Arthur replied by intimating that he would be glad to speak with him. “Can’t you speak, then?” returned Mr. Alfred Dove. “I am not deaf.” Thus met, Arthur did not repeat his wish for privacy. He intimated his business, uncertain whether Mr. Alfred Dove had heard of it or not; and stated that the security could be given. “I don’t know what you mean about ‘security,’” was Mr. Alfred Dove’s rejoinder. “What security?” “Mr. Dove said that if I came into your office security would be required,” answered Arthur. “My friends are ready to give it.” “Mr. Dove told you that, did he? Just like him. He has nothing to do with the details of the office. Did he know who you are?” “Certainly he did, sir.”