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As they bea man they had lowed in the grate, and he began to be conscious of so dismissed the servant with the lunch tray, she caused him to draw his chair sociably up to the fire, and said, without any circumlocution: "Mr Haldane, perhaps this is the best tiard to the future"

The young ht that this was the preface for some decided criticism of the past, and his face became a little hard and defiant But in this he was mistaken, for the lady made no reference to his faults, of which she had been informed by his mother She spoke in a kindly but al-room, and of the domestic rules of the household, to which he would be expected to conform She also spoke plainly of her husband's inexorable requireularity, and order, and dwelt upon the fact that all in his employ conformed to this de to do

"This is your first venture out into the world, I understand," she said, rising to intireatly wish that it may lead toward a useful and successful career I have spoken plainly because I wished you to realize just what you have undertaken, and thus meet with no unpleasant surprises or unexpected experiences When one enters upon a course with his eyes open, he in a certain sense pledges himself to do the best he can in that line of duty, and our acquaintance, though so brief, has convinced me that you can do very well indeed"

"I was under the i deeply, "that my mother's letter had led you to suppose--to expect just the contrary"

"Mr Haldane," said Mrs Arnot, giving hiraceful tact, "I shall forround of your own action, and I wish you to think of enuine interest in your success Good-night"

He went to his room in quite a heroic and virtuous mood

"She does not treat ht; "but appears to take it for granted that I shall be a gentleman in this her house, and a sensible fellow in her husband's office Blow me if I disappoint her!"