“No trouble, no unpleasant words, I hope?” said the elder man, anxiously.

“Mr. Chittenden, when you knew me as Hugh Mainwaring’s private secretary, you knew me as a gentleman; I trust I shall never be less.”

“You are right, you are right, my boy, and I beg your pardon; but young blood is apt to be hasty, you know.”

A little later Harold Mainwaring strolled leisurely across the large reading-room to a table where Mr. Whitney was seated.  The latter, seeing him, rose to greet him, while his sensitive face flushed with momentary excitement.

“Mr. Mainwaring, I am delighted to meet you.  I had hoped from the friendly tone of that rather mysterious note of yours, upon your somewhat abrupt departure, that we might meet again soon, and, though it is under greatly altered circumstances, I am proud to have the opportunity of congratulating you.”

The younger man responded courteously, and for a few moments the two chatted pleasantly upon subjects of general interest, while many pairs of eyes looked on in silent astonishment, wondering what this peculiar interview might portend.

At last, after a slight pause, Harold Mainwaring remarked, calmly, “Mr. Whitney, I understand that, when the coming litigation is terminated, your client intends to institute proceedings against me of a far different nature, — criminal proceedings, in fact.”

The attorney colored and started nervously, then replied in a low tone, “Mr. Mainwaring, let us withdraw to one of the side rooms; this is rather a public place for any conversation regarding those matters.”

“It is none too public for me, Mr. Whitney, as I have nothing unpleasant to say towards yourself personally, and nothing which I am not perfectly willing should be heard by any and every individual in these rooms to-night.  You have not yet answered my inquiry, Mr. Whitney.”

The attorney paused for a moment, as though laboring under great excitement, then he spoke in a tone vibrating with strong emotion,-

“Mr. Mainwaring, regarding my client’s intentions, you have, in all probability, been correctly informed.  I believe that he has made statements at various times to that effect, and I am now so well acquainted with him that I know there is no doubt but that he will attempt to carry out what he has threatened.  But, Mr. Mainwaring, I wish to say a word or two for myself.  In the coming litigation over the estate, I, as Ralph Mainwaring’s counsel, am bound to do my part without any reference to my own personal opinions or prejudices, and I expect to meet you and your counsel in an open fight, — perhaps a bitter one.  But this much I have to say:  Should Ralph Mainwaring undertake to bring against you any action of the character which he has threatened,” here Mr. Whitney rose to his feet and brought his hand down with a ringing blow upon the table at his side, “he will have to employ other counsel than myself, for I will have nothing whatever to do with such a case.”