Basil

the calm uniformity of the life at

r husband was apparently settled there for the evening. He looked a little flurried, and was more restless tha

r. Mannion has come back-at leas

een mentioned during my first conversation with Mr. Sherwin; and then I recalled to mind the description I had heard of him, as "confidential clerk;" as forty years of age; and as an educated man, who

down as usual with

ission, except when he once paused on his restless course, to tell me that Mr. Mannion was coming that evening; and that he hoped I should have no objection to be introduced to a person who was "quite like one of the family, and well enough read to be sure

sound. Mr. Sherwin sat down; composing himself into rather a

own again, while the visitor very respectfully took her hand, and made the usual inquiries. After this, he was introduced to me; and then Margaret was sent away to summon her mother down

t, an almost perfect symmetry of proportion. His bald forehead was smooth and massive as marble; his high brow and thin eyelids had the firmness and immobility of marble, and seemed as cold; his delicately-formed lips, when he was not speaking, closed habitually, as changelessly still as if no bre

he was silent. His cold grey eyes gave you no help in trying to study him. They never varied from the steady, straightforward look, which was exactly the same for Margaret as it was for me; for Mrs. Sherwin as for Mr. Sherwin-exactly the same whether he spoke or whether he listened; whether he talked of indifferent, or of important matters. Who was he? What was he? His name and calling were poor replies to those ques

meanour (unobtrusive though it was) proclaimed itself as above his position in the world. He had all the quietness and self-possession of a gentleman. He maintained his respectful bearing, without the slightest appearance of cringing; and

as void of expression as his face: it was rather low in tone, but singularly distinct in utterance. He sp

s inquiries after her health, she never once looked at him; but fixed her eyes all the time on Margaret and me, with a sad, anxious expression, wholly indescribable, which ofte

mposed, was a character that ruled. I could not see this in his face, or detect it in his words; but I could discover it in the looks and manners of his employer and his employer's family, as he now sat at the same table w

ake of observing the very man who had interrupted it, and that man only Mr. Sherwin's clerk, I should have laughed at t

e and the French, which evidently proceeded from the most ludicrous ignorance both of the country and the people. Mr. Mannion just set him right; and did no more. There was not the smallest inflection of sarcasm in his voice, not the slightest look of sarcasm in his eye, while he spoke. When we talked among ourselves, he did not join in the conversation; but sat quietly waiting until he might be point

ble at the other end of the room, on which the book was placed that Margaret and I had intended to read during the evening. I was standing by the tab

confidence-a confidence which I know how to respect and preserve-of your marriage with his daughter, and of the peculiar circumstances under which the marriage has been contracted. I may at least venture to con

e been of great assistance in laying a foundati

en my employer desired it." He bowed again, as he said this; and then went

ment his back was turned, I found myself speculating whether his words contained any hidden meaning; trying to recall something in his voice or manner which might guide me in discovering the real sense he attac

While she was telling me this, I hardly noticed that she spoke in a very hurried manner, and busied herself in arranging the books and work that lay on the table. My attention was more closely directed to Mrs. Sherwin. To my surprise, I saw her eagerly lean forward while Margaret was speaking, and fix her eyes on her dau

new Mannion would please you. I told you so, my dear Sir, if

. Your clerk, Mr. Sherwin, is a complete walking mystery that I want to solve. Margaret cannot give me

s as sulky as a bear, whenever Mannion and she are in company together. Con

me about him your

bad as transportation and hanging to them, whenever they see it. I'll pledge you my word of honour he's never had a day's illness, or made a single mistake, since he's been with me. He's a quiet, steady-going, regular dragon at his work-he is! And then, so obliging in other things. I've only got to say to him: 'Here's Margaret at home for the holidays;' or, 'Here's Margaret a little out of sorts, and going to be nursed at home for the half-year-what's to be done about keeping up

e was employed bef

and his quiet ways, I wanted badly enough to know something about him, and who his connections were. First, I asked his friend who had recommended him-the friend wasn't at liberty to answer for anything but his perfect trustworthiness. Then I asked Mannion himself point-blank about it, one day. He just told me that he had reasons for keeping his family affairs to himself-nothing more-but you know the way he has with him; and, damn it, he put the stopper on me, from that

chance for me, Mr. Sherwin

into business hours, in my private snuggery up stairs. In fact, he's one of the family; treat him as such, and get anything out of him you can-the more the better, as far as regards that.

ion: is he marr

egular old bachelor, if

eemed susceptible of active curiosity on the subject of Mr. Mannion-the more so, perhaps, from her very dislike of him. Margaret had moved her chair into the background, while her fat

nected with him was an idea that pleased me; there was a promise of future excitement in it of no ordinary kind. I determined to have a little private conversation with Margaret about him; and to make her an ally in my new project. If there really h

ested my curiosity that he had actually shared my thoughts with my young wife, during the eve