Valentine pondered over this as he locked up his property.  It was not yet eight o’clock, and as he put out the candle he had lighted to count his notes by (for the March morning was dark), he heard wheels, and, on going down, met John in the hall.  He had come in before the breakfast-hour, as had often been his custom when he meant to breakfast with his father.

John’s countenance showed a certain agitation.  Valentine observing it, gave him a quiet, matter-of-fact greeting, and talked of the weather.  A thaw had come on, and the snow was melting rapidly.  For the moment John seemed unable to answer, but when they got into the dining-room, he said—­

“I overtook St. George’s groom.  He had been to my house, he said, thinking you were there.  Your brother sent a message, rather an urgent one, and this note to you.  He wants you, it seems.”

“Wants me, wants ME!” exclaimed Valentine.  “What for?”

John shrugged his shoulders.

“Is he ill?” continued Valentine.

“The man did not say so.”

Valentine read the note.  It merely repeated that his brother wanted him.  What an extraordinary piece of thoughtlessness this seemed!  Brandon might have perceived that Valentine would be much needed by John that day.

“You told me yesterday,” said Valentine, “that there were various things you should like me to do for you in the house to-day, and over at the town too.  So I shall send him word that I cannot go”

“I think you had better go,” said John.

Valentine was sure that John would have been glad of his company.  It would be easier for a man with his peculiarly keen feelings not to have to face all his clerks alone the first time after his father’s death.

“You must go,” he repeated, however.  “St. George would never have thought of sending for you unless for some urgent reason.  If you take my dog-cart you will be in time for the breakfast there, which is at nine.  The horse is not taken out.”

Valentine still hesitating, John added—­

“But, I may as well say now that my father’s removal need make no difference in our being together.  As far as I am concerned, I am very well pleased with our present arrangement.  I find in you an aptitude for business affairs that I could by no means have anticipated.  So if St. George wants to consult you about some new plan for you (which I hardly think can be the case), you had better hear what I have to say before you turn yourself out.”

Valentine thanked him cordially.  Emily had pointedly said to him, during his uncle’s last illness, that in the event of any change, she should be pleased if he would come and live with her.  He had made no answer, because he had not thought John would wish the connection between them to continue.  But now everything was easy.  His dear old uncle had left him a riding-horse, and some books.  He had only to move these to Emily’s house, and so without trouble enter another home.