m.

Minute details respecting the work were gone into, even to the colour
of the paper on which it was to be written. Morgan did not know
whether blue or buff was the more restful for the eyes, and the
question was left open for John Medhurst to decide. Archibald looked
tremendously pleased at his son's reception of his project, and it
certainly raised his opinion of Morgan's judgment.

"I'm glad to see you've not been spoiled by success, Morgan," he could
not help saying.

It was a strange irony, Morgan thought, that his father's acceptance
of him should be so complete just when he himself had finally
abandoned all hope. The reflection would have been a bitter one had he
not found Archibald's pride in him amusing, in view of the latter's
new theories about "merit."

Later on, at the hotel, Archibald produced the copy of the "Pleiad,"
which contained the verses inspired by Margaret Medhurst's younger
sister, and insisted on reading them aloud. His paternal pride was
more than satisfied by the small sum total of Morgan's published work,
and each little addition to it furnished an occasion of great
excitement for him.

Of course, Ingram was mentioned before long, and Morgan had to say
that that gentleman and he were no longer friends. Archibald said he
was sorry, and looked it. He considered Ingram a great author, and the
breach rather a misfortune.

"Is there no hope of smoothing things over?" he asked. "Why not take
me into your confidence? I flatter myself I have had some experience
in patching up even serious differences between people, and you know
I'm at your disposal."

Time had, indeed, brought about a strange reversal of role between the
banker and Ingram.

Morgan explained that Ingram had behaved in such a way as to make him
revise his estimate of him, but that it would scarcely serve any
purpose to go into details.

The banker again said he was sorry, and looked it still more than
before. Anyhow, as the subject was so obviously disagreeable to
Morgan, he would not allude to it again.

In the afternoon they took a little stroll together, and, after
partaking of a cup of tea, they parted, promising to see each other at
Wimpole Street.

"By the way," said his father, at the last moment, "I hear from Katie
that they haven't seen very much of you of late, and that you had
struck them as pre-occupied. She even seemed rather doubtful about
your coming this evening. I hope you don't stick too long at yo