being tired and not very
well--and about its being impossible always to help one's looks.

"Why don't you say at once that it is I who have made you so miserable
that you have lost all faith in me--that I am going straight to ruin.
That is what you mean to say--you know very well."

"Harry," said she, gently, "I did not mean to say anything unkind."

Harry left his seat, and threw himself on the sofa with a groan.

"If you would only rate a fellow soundly, Graeme! If you would only
tell me at once, what a weak, pitiful wretch you think me! I could bear
that; but your silence and that miserable face, I cannot bear."

"I cannot say I think you weak or pitiful, Harry. It would not be true.
And I am afraid you would not like my rating better than my silence. I
can only say, I have had less courage in thinking of your going away to
fill an important and responsible situation, since that night."

Harry groaned.

"Oh! well; don't bother yourself about my going away, and my
responsibilities. The chances are some one else will have to fill the
important situation."

"Have you seen--has Mr Ruthven returned?"

"Mr Ruthven has returned, and I have seen him, but I have not spoken
with him. It was not his will and pleasure to say anything to-night
about that which has been keeping me in such miserable suspense. He was
engaged, forsooth, when a moment would have settled it. Well, it does
not matter. I shall take the decision into my own hands."

"What do you mean, Harry?"

"I mean, I shall give up my situation if he does not send me West--if he
hesitates a moment about sending me, I shall leave his employment."

"But why, Harry?"

"Because--because I am determined. Ruthven does not think me fit to be
entrusted with the management of his affairs, I suppose."

"Harry," said his sister, gravely, "is it surprising if he does not?"

"Well, if I am not to be trusted there, neither am I to be trusted here,
and I leave. Graeme, you don't know what you are talking about. It is
quite absurd to suppose that what happened that night would make any
difference to Allan Ruthven. You think him a saint, but trust me, he
knows by experience how to make allowance for that sort of thing. If he
has nothing worse than that against any one in his employment, he may
think himself fortunate."

"Then, why do you say he does not trust you?"

"I shall call it sufficient evidence that he does not, if he draws back
in this. Not