professional life. This toned his manner, as well as tinged his thoughts, giving to both a quaint bonhommie, which kindly forbore to censure, yet could not fail to penetrate, the absurdities before it. A propriety of anecdote, and an unobtrusive cheerfulness, which gently interposed itself between his listeners and all gloomy thoughts, gave wings to moments, which condolence would have loaded. It was not until he rose to go, and she glanced out of the window, where the waning moon was tardily clearing the eastern horizon, and the stillness of the village indicated the approach of midnight, that Madame Lefrette became aware of the lapse of time.
"I ought to apologize for staying so long," said he; "but it is the nature of all apologies to be too late."
"An acknowledgment of the pleasure you have given us is in time, however," said Marie.
"And we shall always be glad to see you, Mr. Beman," said the widow, "without requiring apologies for pleasant visits."
The lawyer received the invitation as cordially as it was given; and then a pause ensued, during which he seemed debating within himself whether to go or sit down.
"Before I leave you," he said at last, as if his mind had settled upon his course, "I ought, perhaps, to say a few words on business. I would not trouble you with it at such a moment, but it is necessary you should hear the truth."
Madame Lefrette turned deadly pale. "I am sure," she said, "that you would———"
"Say nothing unpleasant," he interrupted, finishing the sentence, "except for imperative reasons: you are right. In a day or two, I shall set off for St. Louis, to be absent some weeks; and before my return you could not fail to hear what I am going to say—perhaps in a distorted form. Do n't be alarmed," he continued, with a smile to reassure her, "at my awkward way of preparing you for information, which, after all, requires no preparation."
"I suppose I know what you refer to," said the widow, faintly.
"I judged so, from some expressions you used a while ago. The 'Land and Emigration Company,' in which your husband held a large amount of stock, is, as I see you suspect, insolvent. But I am the
