When Bold was ushered into the book-room, he found its owner standing with his back to the empty fire-place ready to receive him, and he could not but perceive that that expansive brow was elated with triumph, and that those full heavy lips bore more prominently than usual an appearance of arrogant success. "Well, Mr Bold," said he;--"well, what can I do for you? Very happy, I can assure you, to do anything for such a friend of my father-in-law." "I hope you'll excuse my calling, Dr Grantly." "Certainly, certainly," said the archdeacon; "I can assure you, no apology is necessary from Mr Bold;--only let me know what I can do for him." Dr Grantly was standing himself, and he did not ask Bold to sit, and therefore he had to tell his tale standing, leaning on the table, with his hat in his hand. He did, however, manage to tell it; and as the archdeacon never once interrupted him, or even encouraged him by a single word, he was not long in coming to the end of it. "And so, Mr Bold, I'm to understand, I believe, that you are desirous of abandoning this attack upon Mr Harding." "Oh, Dr Grantly, there has been no attack, I can assure you--" "Well, well, we won't quarrel about words; I should call it an attack;--most men would so call an endeavour to take away from a man every shilling of income that he has to live upon; but it sha'n't be an attack, if you don't like it; you wish to abandon this--this little game of backgammon you've begun to play." "I intend to put an end to the legal proceedings which I have commenced." "I understand," said the archdeacon. "You've already had enough of it; well, I can't say that I am surprised; carrying on a losing lawsuit where one has nothing to gain, but everything to pay, is not pleasant." Bold turned very red in the face. "You misinterpret my motives," said he; "but, however, that is of little consequence. I did not come to trouble you with my motives, but to tell you a matter of fact. Good-morning, Dr Grantly." "One moment,--one moment," said the other. "I don't exactly appreciate the taste which induced you to make any personal communication to me on the subject; but I dare say I'm wrong, I dare say your judgment is the better of the two; but as you have done me the honour,--as you have, as it were, forced me into a certain amount of conversation on a subject which had better, perhaps, have been left to our lawyers, you will excuse me if I ask you to hear my reply to your communication." "I am in no hurry, Dr Grantly." "Well, I am, Mr Bold; my time is not exactly leisure time, and, therefore, if you please, we'll go to the point at once:--you're going to abandon this lawsuit?"--and he paused for a reply. "Yes, Dr Grantly, I am."