He was returning from Jersey City on the tenth day of his agency, when in the gentleman’s cabin he saw, directly opposite, two persons whom he had reason to remember.

They were Mark Manning and his father.

Little reason as he had to like either, they reminded him of home, and he felt pleased to meet them.

He instantly crossed the cabin, and offered his hand to his stepfather, who had not yet seen him.

“When did you arrive, Mr. Manning?” he asked.

“Why, it is Frank!” exclaimed Mr. Manning, with an appearance of cordiality.  “Mark, do you see Frank?”

“Yes, I see him,” replied Mark, coldly.

“Haven’t you anything to say to him?” asked his father, who was much more of a gentleman than his son.

“How are you?” said Mark, indifferently.

“Thank you for your kind inquiry,” said Frank, more amused than vexed, for he cared very little for his stepbrother’s friendship.  “I am in very good health.”

“And how are you getting along?” asked his stepfather, with an appearance of interest.  “Are you in any business?”

“Yes,” answered Frank.

“What are you doing?’ asked Mark, inspired a little by curiosity.

“I am agent for a wholesale tea house in New York,” Frank answered, briefly.

“You don’t say so!” exclaimed Mark, rather impressed.  “What is the name of the firm?”

“The Great Pekin Tea Company.”

“Does it pay well?” asked his stepbrother.

“I have met with very fair success,” replied Frank.

“I congratulate you, Frank,” said Mr. Manning.  “Your energy and enterprise are creditable—­extremely creditable.  I always predicted that you would succeed—­didn’t I, Mark?’

“I don’t remember hearing you say so,” said Mark.

Mr. Manning shrugged his shoulders.

“Nevertheless,” he said, “I have often made the remark.”

“Where do you live?” asked Mark.

“I board in Clinton Place.”

“A very respectable street,” said Mr. Manning.

Frank now thought it was his turn to become questioner.

“How long do you remain in the city, Mr. Manning?” he asked.

“Not long—­only a day or two,” said his stepfather.

“We sail for Europe on Saturday,” interposed Mark, “on the Cunard steamer.”

“Indeed!  I wish you a pleasant voyage.”

“I am sorry you won’t go with us, Frank,” said his stepfather, cautiously.  “You remember I gave you the chance to do so, and you desired to devote yourself immediately to business.”

“Yes, sir.  I would rather remain in New York.”

“It might possibly be arranged now, if you desire to go,” said Mr. Manning, hesitatingly.

“No, thank you, sir.”

“Well, perhaps you are right,” said his stepfather, considerably relieved.

“What parts of Europe do you expect to visit?” asked Frank.