make, and how sure I should be of having at least one friend when he
got here.

"He seems to be having a delightful time," said his sister.

"I am glad to hear that," I said, interested. "Generally he finds it
such a bore. He doesn't seem to like to travel." I was rather startled
at the sound of my own voice and the attention of my audience; but I had
been betrayed into speaking, by my interest in the subject, and my
surprise at hearing he was having such a pleasant time.

"Ah!" she said, "don't you think he does? At any rate, he seems to be
enjoying this journey, and to be in no hurry to come back. I looked for
him last week."

Warned by my last experience, I said nothing in answer; and after a
moment Kilian said:

"Well, if Richard's having a good time, you may be sure he's made some
favorable negotiation, and comes home with good news for the firm.
That's his idea of a good time, you know."

"Ah!" said Sophie, gently, "that's his brother's idea of his idea. It
isn't mine."

Charlotte Benson seemed a little nettled at this, and exclaimed,

"Mrs. Hollenbeck! you are making us all unhappy. You are leading us to
suspect that the stern man of business is unbending. What's the
influence at work? What makes this journey different from other