“It is a curious fact, and illustrates the uncertainty of human events, that my success is the result of accident, and is not in the least due to my judgment or foresight.  Every kind of business that I have engaged in—­and I have tried several kinds—­has failed.  Sniggs, Buffet & Co. almost finished me; and, if I had not backed out as I did, the better part of my estate would have been sacrificed.  Among those who know me, I pass for a very shrewd business man, who has made a fortune by his numerous failures.  This tribute to my abilities is flattering, but I must disclaim it.  But I am tiring you with these petty details of my life.”

“Not at all, really,” said Marcus Wilkeson, who enjoyed the old gentleman’s frankness.

Mr. Van Quintem paused, and began to show signs of fatigue.  He asked for a cordial which stood on an old sideboard with great lion’s feet, near his visitor’s chair.  Having sipped of its contents, he expressed himself relieved, and resumed his story: 

“As I was saying, I found my whole happiness in my wife, and in this house.  With the exception of a few friends of my youth—­now all dead—­she was my only society.  Like me, she was fond of retirement and of books.  You, sir, can appreciate the quiet, satisfying pleasure which we derived from books, for you, too, are a constant, happy reader; and you have fine books, as I know by the size of them.  You see, I have been observing you closely,” he added, with a smile.  The old gentleman’s smile was sweet, but relapsed into a mild expression of sadness.

“Not more closely than I have observed you,” said Marcus.  “I have often wondered what stout old quartos you were reading.  To tell you the truth, I inferred, from the dimensions of the books and your white cravat, that you were a clergyman.”  Marcus might have added, that the old gentleman’s flowing white locks and benevolent features had contributed to the illusion; but he had already discovered that Mr. Van Quintem, like himself, was averse to compliments.

The old gentleman took the remark good-naturedly.  “This is not the first time,” said he, “that my old-fashioned fancy for a white cravat has led to that mistake.  You will find very little of the body of divinity in that library.  When I recover from this illness so as to hobble about, we will look over my little collection together.”

Marcus said that nothing could give him greater delight, unless it was to show his friend his own humble library.

“Thank you,” returned Mr. Van Quintem; “and I promise to run over and look at it when I am well enough to go out.”  The haste with which the old gentleman made the last remark, and the fact that he did not invite his visitor to examine the library then and there, led Marcus to think that the old gentleman had some private trouble on his mind, which he wished to diminish by imparting to another.  Marcus was right.

The old gentleman heaved a sigh, and resumed: