that he was satisfied with the world. The ordinary expression
of his face was that of quiet contentment, though at times it betrayed
a keen sagacity and shrewdness, partly the revelation of nature, and
partly the product of an intimate intercourse with that world with
which his business brought him, in various ways, in contact. It was
however apparent, that however much the associations and experiences
of trade had sharpened his intellect, they had not tarnished the
natural goodness of his heart. That spoke in the frank tones of his
manly voice and shone in the light of his clear blue eyes. One could
hardly look at him without a conviction that he was a man to be
trusted, and a desire to grasp his hand in friendship. Holden felt the
influence at the introduction, and no mean judge of character himself,
was glad to make the acquaintance.

Mrs. Pownal was by several years the junior of her husband, and in all
respects different from him. Her hair and eyes were raven-black, her
complexion dark and saturnine, and she wore an expression of care
inconsistent with enjoyment. She had been for many years a childless
wife, and it may be that early disappointment, occasioned by the want
of children, uniting with a melancholy temperament, had imparted an
appearance of dejection which the subsequent birth of a boy and girl
after she had given up the expectation of offspring, was unable to
remove. She seldom smiled, and when she did, the smile played over her
countenance like the sickly gleam of a wintry clay through clouds,
and seemed rather to chill than to warm what before was cold. It was a
formal tribute to the customs of society, not the spontaneous outburst
of joy. She presented the tips of her fingers with all the grace of
an accomplished lady, to Holden, and meant that her reception of him
should be kind, but the hand was cold, and apparently as unfeeling as
marble, and the Solitary dropped it as soon as touched. And yet Mrs.
Pownal had feeling.

The first few days after the return of the Pownals was spent by them
in gathering up those threads of relationship by which people are
connected with society. Even a short absence from home induces
sometimes the necessity of paying and receiving many visits,
proportioned to the extent of the circle in which the parties move.
The visiting circle of the Pownals was large, and hence the longer
time was required. Besides, the business pursuits of the merchant
engrossed some hours eac