When this part of the interview was over, Mr. Vosburgh remarked, casually, “By the way, I believe you are acquainted with Mr. Willard Merwyn and his affairs.”

“Yes,” replied the lawyer, at once on the alert.

“Do your relations to Mr. Merwyn permit you to give me some information concerning him?”

The attorney thought rapidly.  His client had recently been inquiring about Mr. Vosburgh, and, therefore, the interest was mutual.  On general principles it was important that the latter should be friendly, for he was a secret and trusted agent of the government, and Mrs. Merwyn’s course might render a friend at court essential.  Although the son had not mentioned Marian’s name, Mr. Bodoin shrewdly guessed that she was exerting the influence that had so greatly changed the young man’s views and plans.  The calculating lawyer had never imagined that he would play the role of match-maker, but he was at once convinced that, in the stormy and uncertain times, Merwyn could scarcely make a better alliance than the one he meditated.  Therefore with much apparent frankness the astute lawyer told Mr. Vosburgh all that was favorable to the young man.

“I think he will prove an unusual character,” concluded the lawyer, “for he is manifesting some of his father’s most characteristic traits,” and these were mentioned.  “When, after attaining his majority, the son returned from England, he was in many respects little better than a shrewd, self-indulgent boy, indifferent to everything but his own pleasure, but, for some reason, he has greatly changed.  Responsibility has apparently sobered him and made him thoughtful.  I have also told him much about my old friend and client, his father, and the young fellow is bent on imitating him.  While he is very considerate of his mother and sisters, he has identified himself with his father’s views, and has become a Northern man to the backbone.  Even to a degree contrary to my advice, he insists on investing his means in government bonds.”

This information was eminently satisfactory, and even sagacious Mr. Vosburgh did not suspect the motives of the lawyer, whom he knew to be eager to retain his good-will, since it was in his power to give much business to those he trusted.

“I may become Merwyn’s ally after all, if he makes good his own and Mr. Bodoin’s words,” was his smiling thought, as he returned to his office.

He was too wise, however, to use open influence with his daughter, or to refer to the secret interview.  Matters should take their own course for the present, while he remained a vigilant observer, for Marian’s interest and happiness were dearer to him than his own life.

Merwyn sought to use his privilege judiciously, and concentrated all his faculties on the question of his standing in Marian’s estimation.  During the first few weeks, it was evident that his progress in her favor was slow, if any were made at all.  She was polite, she conversed with him naturally and vivaciously on topics of general interest, but there appeared to be viewless and impassable barriers between them.  Not by word or sign did she seek to influence his action.