The Chief tilted back his chair, thrust both hands into his pockets, and with a characteristic droop of his right eyelid said slowly: "You have my full, free and hearty consent, and if you are successful I shall take you into the firm of P. Wright & Sons as a partner." Wrenford went to the wicket in answer to a call from one of the employees, and the Chief left his seat and stood leaning against the high desk with its set of books, surveying his clerk from head to foot. The fastidiousness of his dress, the arrogance of his manner, his cultured mind, his shrewd business capacity, gave additional effect to his claim. He seemed a man worthy in every way of the favor he sought. The Chief's face was expressive of satisfaction in the highest degree, and could hardly have deceived the young Englishman with reference to what was passing in his thoughts. They left the office together at twilight and strolled beyond the village by a pleasant walk to the White House. It was a clear, calm evening, with hardly a sound to break the stillness but a cow-bell tinkling in the distance, the hum of insects and the rushing water. As they entered a grove of stately trees they beheld an unexpected vision. It was Abbie. Her proud dark eyes were fixed upon the ground as though some passion or struggle were raging within. By her side was Thomas Brigham, who stood looking intently into her face, holding her hand meanwhile. Matters were evidently on the verge of coming to a climax when they heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Abbie looked up suddenly, her face crimsoning to the roots of her hair as she observed the cold steel-gray eyes of Mr. Wrenford looking defiantly at Thomas. "I fear we are intruding," said the Chief, coldly. "Not at all," replied Abbie. "Mr. Brigham has just given me a conundrum to solve, and I was trying to think of an answer." Whereupon Mr. Wrenford said: "By the way, Miss Wright, I have been seeking an opportunity all day of seeing you with reference to the new spinnet that your mother wished us to order from Montreal. We had a letter from the firm this morning, and I was going up to see you about it." Almost unconsciously Abbie was led to walk with Mr. Wrenford the remainder of the way, while Thomas, biting his lips with rage, followed in solemn silence with the Chief. It was rather late, and the Chief, following the example of the other members of the family, retired, leaving the rival suitors and Abbie in the sitting-room.