g forward and shaking my hand
with great cordiality, "I have so desired to see you!"

"May I ask on what account?" I replied, with the utmost _sang froid_,
although I was almost bursting with anxiety.

"Why, to tell you the truth--and I am almost ashamed to confess it--we
sold you more flour than we intended, having several orders to fill, and
I thought that if it made no difference to you, we would borrow one
hundred barrels, and repay you in the course of a day or two at
farthest. It is not of much importance, but I concluded that I would
speak to you in regard to the subject."

Even while conversing, he led me to his neat and commodious private
room, as though the sight of his wealth would soften my heart, and awe
me to subjection to his will.

"You see, my dear sir, it is such a trifling matter, that I am almost
ashamed to make the request. I am positively mortified to think that we
made such a mistake as to dispose of our whole stock. However, a ship
will be here in a few days, and then we can supply the country at
greatly reduced rates."

I did not interrupt him, but sat patiently, while he was endeavoring to
wheedle me out of my speculation. He displayed the anxiety that he felt,
to carry his point, while speaking, and I knew that one of his restless
eyes was on me, to read my thoughts, during the interview.

"I am sorry that I cannot accommodate you in this instance," I answered,
"because I bought for the Ballarat market, and the people of that
section of the country are in want. Flour at the mines is selling for
sixty pounds per ton, a large advance upon what I paid."

"O, I don't mind allowing you a small margin for your trouble. You paid
forty pounds per ton. I will give you forty-five for a hundred barrels."

"My dear Mr. Hennetit, it really grieves me to think that I must refuse
your offer," I replied, "but I couldn't think of selling below the
market rates. If you wish a hundred barrels at fifty-five pounds per
ton, I shall be exceedingly happy to accommodate you."

"Pooh, pooh!" he muttered; "I can't consider such a thing. If you think
to speculate in flour in this country, you will miss it, and lose your
money."

"Perhaps I shall; but as flour has risen in price since I purchased, I
don't see why I should not reap the benefit of it."

I bowed courteously to the merchant, replaced my veil, (for during the
summer months, when the ground is dry, and the wind blows strong, it is
necessary to wea