s to show
that, though in the cause of public duty he was obliged to be stern,
he was quite willing to forget his sternness when the necessity for
it had passed away. On this morning, therefore, he was very cheery.
But to all his cheery good-humour John Eames would make no response.
Late in the afternoon, when most of the men had left the office,
Johnny appeared before the chairman for the last time that day with a
very long face. He was dressed in black, and had changed his ordinary
morning coat for a frock, which gave him an appearance altogether
unlike that which was customary to him. And he spoke almost in a
whisper, very slowly; and when Sir Raffle joked,--and Sir Raffle
often would joke,--he not only did not laugh, but he absolutely
sighed. "Is there anything the matter with you, Eames?" asked Sir
Raffle.

"I am in great trouble," said John Eames.

"And what is your trouble?"

"It is essential for the honour of one of my family that I should be
at Florence by this day week. I cannot make up my mind what I ought
to do. I do not wish to lose my position in the public service, to
which, as you know, I am warmly attached; but I cannot submit to see
the honour of my family sacrificed!"

"Eames," said Sir Raffle, "that must be nonsense;--that must be
nonsense. There can be no reason why you should always expect to have
your own way in everything."

"Of course if I go without leave I shall be dismissed."

"Of course you will. It is out of the question that a young man
should take the bit between his teeth in that way."

"As for taking the bit between his teeth, Sir Raffle, I do not
think that any man was ever more obedient, perhaps I should say
more submissive, than I have been. But there must be a limit to
everything."

"What do you mean by that, Mr. Eames?" said Sir Raffle, turning in
anger upon his private secretary. But Johnny disregarded his anger.
Johnny, indeed, had made up his mind that Sir Raffle should be very
angry. "What do you mean, Mr. Eames, by saying that there must be
a limit? I know nothing about limits. One would suppose that you
intended to make an accusation against me."

"So I do. I think, Sir Raffle, that you are treating me with great
cruelty. I have explained to you that family circumstances--"

"You have explained nothing, Mr. Eames."

"Yes, I have, Sir Raffle. I have explained to you that matters
relating to one of my family, which materially affect the honour of
a certain one o