himself
at the house and inquired for _Mrs._ Tenant. On this occasion he was
cased in a complete suit of the deepest black, with crape reaching to
the very top of his hat. He was the picture of despairing grief.

It happened that Emma was not at home, so that Mrs. Tenant was not
surprised that she should be sent for. She did not know Hiram had not
inquired for her daughter. She came in with the impression that he was
all that he should be; his failure to write often being thought quite
excusable under the circumstances.

She had not, however, advanced three steps into the room before
_feeling_ there was something wrong.

Hiram, regarded in a certain light, presented a most comical, though
most lugubrious appearance. He was so completely acting a part that his
very looks and gestures, and, in short, the minutest movements of his
body, were manifestly 'got up.' One would think an automaton had been
employed and set to work to do a certain amount of mourning, and furnish
the requisite quantity of family grief.

Nevertheless Mrs. Tenant advanced and greeted Hiram cordially.

He put out the tips of his fingers, produced his pocket handkerchief,
as if to be ready for an overflow, but uttered no word, no articulate
sound.

This continued for at least five minutes, Mrs. Tenant endeavoring to say
something the while by way of condolence.

'I shall never recover from the shock,' at last he ejaculated; 'never!'

He did not look Mrs. Tenant in the face, but kept his eyes fixed on
vacancy.

'I am very sorry Emma is not in, but you will not have to wait long,'
remarked Mrs. Tenant at last.

'I do not think I shall be able to see her,' said Hiram, with a groan.

'Not see her; not see Emma? Why, what do you mean?' exclaimed the
mother, now fully roused.

'This is no period to devote myself to things of time and sense. I feel
that all my thoughts should be centred on eternity.'

[You should have seen the activity Hiram had been displaying in his
counting room since his return.]

This was enough for Mrs. Tenant. She understood him now, and determined
to bring matters at once to a crisis.

'Mr. Meeker,' she said, 'will you be so kind as to step with me into the
library a few moments?'

Hiram acquiesced.

She rang the bell, and said to the servant:

'When Miss Tenant comes in, request her to go to my room, and wait for
me there.

'Now, Mr. Meeker,' she said, as soon as they were seated, 'let me ask
you a plain que