ts gloomy gas-jets always burning. From where they were
standing at that moment, the figures of the draymen and warehousemen
moving backwards and forwards seemed like phantoms in some
subterranean world. It was odd to think of thirty-five years spent
amid such surroundings!

"It is a long time," he remarked.

Mr. Jarvis nodded.

"I mention it," he said, "so that you may understand that my
remarks to you are not dictated by curiosity or impertinence. Mr.
Weatherley's behavior and mode of life has been entirely changed,
Chetwode, since his marriage."

"I can understand that," Arnold replied, with a faint smile. What,
indeed, had so beautiful a creature as Fenella to do with Samuel
Weatherley of Tooley Street!

"Mrs. Weatherley," Mr. Jarvis continued, "is, no doubt, a very
beautiful and accomplished lady. Whether she is a suitable wife for
Mr. Weatherley I am not in a position to judge, never having had the
opportunity of speech with her, but as regards the effect of his
marriage upon Mr. Weatherley, I should like you to understand,
Chetwode, at once, that it is my opinion, and the opinion of all of
us, and of all his business friends, that a marked change for the
worse in Mr. Weatherley has set in during the last few months."

"I am sorry to hear it," Arnold interposed.

"You, of course," Mr. Jarvis went on, "could scarcely have noticed
it, as you have been here so short a time, but I can assure you that
a year or so ago the governor was a different person altogether. He
was out in the warehouse half the morning, watching the stuff being
unloaded, sampling it, and suggesting customers. He took a live
interest in the business, Chetwode. He was here, there and
everywhere. To-day--for the last few weeks, indeed--he has scarcely
left his office. He sits there, signs a few letters, listens to what
I have to say, and goodness knows how he spends the rest of his
time. Where the business would be," Mr. Jarvis continued, rubbing
his chin thoughtfully, "if it were not for us who know the running
of it so well, I can't say, but a fact it is that Mr. Weatherley
seems to have lost all interest in it."

"I wonder he doesn't retire," Arnold suggested.

Mr. Jarvis looked at him in amazement.

"Retire!" he exclaimed. "Why should he retire? What would he do?
Isn't it as comfortable for him to read his newspaper over the fire
in the office here as at home? Isn't it better for him to have his
friends all around him, as he has h