et.'

'Harriet who? what Harriet? I know nobody of that name.'

'She is not well, and has changed very much of late.'

'She changed very much, a great many years ago,' replied the Manager;
'and that is all I have to say.

'I think if you would hear me--

'Why should I hear you, Brother John?' returned the Manager, laying a
sarcastic emphasis on those two words, and throwing up his head, but not
lifting his eyes. 'I tell you, Harriet Carker made her choice many years
ago between her two brothers. She may repent it, but she must abide by
it.'

'Don't mistake me. I do not say she does repent it. It would be black
ingratitude in me to hint at such a thing,' returned the other. 'Though
believe me, James, I am as sorry for her sacrifice as you.'

'As I?' exclaimed the Manager. 'As I?'

'As sorry for her choice--for what you call her choice--as you are angry
at it,' said the Junior.

'Angry?' repeated the other, with a wide show of his teeth.

'Displeased. Whatever word you like best. You know my meaning. There is
no offence in my intention.'

'There is offence in everything you do,' replied his brother, glancing
at him with a sudden scowl, which in a moment gave place to a wider
smile than the last. 'Carry those papers away, if you please. I am busy.

His politeness was so much more cutting than his wrath, that the Junior
went to the door. But stopping at it, and looking round, he said:

'When Harriet tried in vain to plead for me with you, on your first just
indignation, and my first disgrace; and when she left you, James,
to follow my broken fortunes, and devote herself, in her mistaken
affection, to a ruined brother, because without her he had no one, and
was lost; she was young and pretty. I think if you could see her
now--if you would go and see her--she would move your admiration and
compassion.'

The Manager inclined his head, and showed his teeth, as who should say,
in answer to some careless small-talk, 'Dear me! Is that the case?' but
said never a word.

'We thought in those days: you and I both: that she would marry young,
and lead a happy and light-hearted life,' pursued the other. 'Oh if you
knew how cheerfully she cast those hopes away; how cheerfully she has
gone forward on the path she took, and never once looked back; you never
could say again that her name was strange in your ears. Never!'

Again the Manager inclined his head and showed his teeth, and seemed to
say, 'Remarkable indeed! Yo