Gilbert could not help wondering how Maurice and Mr. James Grey were brought together, and how it happened that the former became his uncle's agent and accomplice. He knew, however, that Maurice never liked him, and guessed that this had been an inducement. "I wonder," he thought, "if there is any chance of his communicating my plans to Mr. Grey? It will be best for me to keep him in ignorance of my destination." When, therefore, he was ready to start, he resolved only to tell him that he was going to St. Louis. This was, in truth, his first destination, but, as we know, he intended to go farther. Maurice, who didn't before know of Gilbert's plans, was surprised when the latter walked up to him and said: "I must bid you good-by for a time, Maurice." "Are you going away?" exclaimed his fellow-clerk, staring at him in amazement. "Yes, I am going away for a short time." "Where?" "To St. Louis." "On business for Mr. Ferguson?" "No, it is on my own business." "I suppose it has something to do with his uncle," thought Maurice, but he thought it most prudent not to say this. "How long do you expect to be gone?" he asked. "I don't know--it depends on how successful I am." "Bessie Benton will miss you," said Maurice, sarcastically. "So she said," answered Gilbert quietly, appreciating his motive. "When did you see her?" asked Maurice, with a twinge of jealousy. "Last evening." This made Maurice feel very uncomfortable. Bessie had grown very pretty, and he admired her more than ever, but with a strange perversity, as he thought, she didn't appear to reciprocate the feeling. On the other hand, she appeared to care a good deal more for Gilbert's society than for that of Maurice. It came to him now, with a feeling of joy, that when Gilbert was away Bessie would naturally turn to him for companionship. "I think I shall go up there this evening myself," he said. (It must be explained that Maurice no longer boarded at his uncle's.) "If you have any message to send, I can take it." "Give Bessie my love," said Gilbert, a little mischievously, knowing that Maurice would never carry such a message. "I will _remember_ you to _Miss Benton_," said Maurice, with dignity. "Oh! don't take the trouble," said Gilbert, carelessly; "it isn't at all necessary." "Then I won't." "Just as you please." "I never saw such an amount of _cheek_ in my life," said Maurice to himself. "I've a great mind to drop a hint to Bessie. She notices him altogether too much." So Maurice, fulfilling his determination of calling that evening, managed to introduce the subject. "Gilbert Grey called on you last evening, didn't he?" "Yes; he is going away. He came to say good-by." "I sha'n't miss him much." "Why not? Are you not a good deal together?" "In the store we are together. Out of it, I don't care to keep his company." "Why not?" "He isn't my style." "If it means that he does not resemble you, Maurice, I think you are right." "He is very much stuck up."