"You are a very fortunate man Mr Tempest;"--said the senior partner Mr Bentham, as he folded up the last of the papers we had been looking through and put it by--"At your age this princely inheritance may be either a great boon to you or a great curse,--one never knows. The possession of such enormous wealth involves great responsibilities." I was amused at what I considered the impertinence of this mere servant of the law in presuming to moralize on my luck. "Many people would be glad to accept such responsibilities and change places with me"--I said with a flippant air--"You yourself, for example?" I knew this remark was not in good taste, but I made it wilfully, feeling that he had no business to preach to me as it were on the responsibilities of wealth. He took no offence however,--he merely gave me an observant side-glance like that of some meditative crow. "No Mr Tempest, no"--he said drily--"I do not think I should at all be disposed to change places with you. I feel very well satisfied as I am. My brain is my bank, and brings me in quite sufficient interest to live upon, which is all that I desire. To be comfortable, and pay one's way honestly is enough for me. I have never envied the wealthy." "Mr Bentham is a philosopher,"--interposed his partner, Mr Ellis smiling--"In our profession Mr Tempest, we see so many ups and downs of life, that in watching the variable fortunes of our clients, we ourselves learn the lesson of content." "Ah, it is a lesson that I have never mastered till now!" I responded merrily--"But at the present moment I confess myself satisfied." They each gave me a formal little bow, and Mr Bentham shook hands. "Business being concluded, allow me to congratulate you," he said politely--"Of course, if you should wish at any time to entrust your legal affairs to other hands, my partner and myself are perfectly willing to withdraw. Your deceased relative had the highest confidence in us...." "As I have also, I assure you,"--I interrupted quickly--"Pray do me the favour to continue managing things for me as you did for my relative, and be assured of my gratitude in advance." Both little men bowed again, and this time Mr Ellis shook hands. "We shall do our best for you, Mr Tempest, shall we not Bentham?" Bentham nodded gravely. "And now what do you say--shall we mention it Bentham?--or shall we not mention it?" "Perhaps," responded Bentham sententiously--"it would be as well to mention it." I glanced from one to the other, not understanding what they meant. Mr Ellis rubbed his hands and smiled deprecatingly.