ose to depart.

CHAPTER X

MR. VYNER spent the remainder of the morning in a state of dreamy
exaltation. He leaned back in his chair devising plans for a future in
which care and sorrow bore no part, and neglected the pile of work on
his table in favour of writing the name "Joan Vyner" on pieces of paper,
which he afterward burnt in the grate. At intervals he jumped up and
went to the window, in the faint hope that Joan might be passing, and
once, in the highest of high spirits, vaulted over his table. Removing
ink from his carpet afterward by means of blotting-paper was only an
agreeable diversion.

By mid-day his mood had changed to one of extreme tenderness and
humility, and he began to entertain unusual misgivings as to his
worthiness. He went home to lunch depressed by a sense of his
shortcomings; but, on his return, his soaring spirits got the better of
him again. Filled with a vast charity, his bosom overflowing with love
for all mankind, he looked about to see whom he could benefit; and
Bassett entering the room at that moment was sacrificed without delay.
Robert Vyner was ashamed to think that he should have left the lad's
valuable services unrewarded for so long.

"It's a fine afternoon, Bassett," he said, leaning back and regarding
him with a benevolent smile.

"Beautiful, sir," said the youth.

"Too fine to sit in a stuffy office," continued the other. "Put on you
hat and go out and enjoy yourself."

"Sir?" said the amazed Bassett.

"Take a half holiday," said Vyner, still smiling.

"Thank you, sir," said Bassett, "but I don't care for holidays; and,
besides, I've got a lot of work to do."

"Do it to-morrow," said Vyner. "Go on--out you go!"

"It can't be done to-morrow, sir," said the youth, almost tearfully.
"I've got all the letters to copy, and a pile of other work. And besides
I shouldn't know what to do with myself if I went."

Mr. Vyner eyed him in astonishment. "I'm sorry to find a tendency
to disobedience in you, Bassett," he said, at last. "I've noticed
it before. And as to saying that you wouldn't know what to do with
yourself, it's a mere idle excuse."

"What time have I got to go, sir?" asked Bassett, resignedly.

"Time?" exclaimed the other. "Now, at once. Avaunt!"

The boy stood for a moment gazing at him in mute appeal, and then,
moving with laggard steps to the door, closed it gently behind him.
A sudden outbreak of four or five voices, all speaking at once, that
fi