ad changed much, during the years of his absence. Up to the time
of his leaving home, he had retained his boyish frankness and love of
fun, more than is usual in one really devoted to business, and
successful in it. When he came back, he seemed older than those years
ought to have made him. He was no longer the merry, impulsive lad,
ready on the shortest notice, to take part in anything that promised
amusement for the moment, whatever the next might bring. He was quiet
and observant now; hardly doing his part in general conversation,
holding his own views and opinions with sufficient tenacity when they
were assailed, but rather indifferent as to what might be the views and
opinions of others; as unlike as possible to the Harry who had been so
ready on all occasions, either in earnest or in sport, to throw himself
into the discussion of all manner of questions, with all kind of people.
Even in their own circle, he liked better to listen than to speak, but
he fell quite naturally and happily into his place at home, though it
was not just the old place.

Graeme thought him wonderfully improved, and made no secret of her pride
and delight in him. Arthur thought him improved too, but he shocked his
sister dreadfully, by professing to see in him indications of character,
that suggested a future resemblance to their respected friend, Mr Elias
Green, in more than in success.

"He is rather too devoted to business, too indifferent to the claims of
society, and to the pursuits of the young swells of the day, to be
natural, I am afraid. But it will pay. In the course of fifteen or
twenty years, we shall have him building a `palatial residence', and
boring himself and other people, like our respected friend. You seem to
be a little discontented with the prospect, Graeme."

"Discontented!" echoed Graeme. "It is with you, that I am discontented.
How can you speak of anything so horrible? You don't know Harry."

"I know what the result of such entire devotion to business must be,
joined to such talents as Harry's. Success, of course, and a measure of
satisfaction with it, more or less, as the case maybe. No, you need not
look at Harry's friend and partner. He is `tarred with the same stick,'
as Mrs Snow would say."

Harry's friend and partner, laughed.

"Mrs Snow would never say that about Mr Millar," said Graeme
indignantly, "nor about Harry either; and neither of them will come to a
fate like that."

"They may f