 a drawer or two, looked over some business papers, and put them
back again. Her severe face had no thread of relaxation in it, by which any
explorer could have been guided to the gloomy labyrinth of her thoughts.
    »Shall I speak of our affairs, mother? Are you inclined to enter upon
business?«
    »Am I inclined, Arthur? Rather, are you? Your father has been dead a year
and more. I have been at your disposal, and waiting your pleasure, ever since.«
    »There was much to arrange before I could leave; and when I did leave, I
travelled a little for rest and relief.«
    She turned her face towards him, as not having heard or understood his last
words.
    »For rest and relief.«
    She glanced round the sombre room, and appeared from the motion of her lips
to repeat the words to herself, as calling it to witness how little of either it
afforded her.
    »Besides, mother, you being sole executrix, and having the direction and
management of the estate, there remained little business, or I might say none,
that I could transact, until you had had time to arrange matters to your
satisfaction.«
    »The accounts are made out,« she returned. »I have them here. The vouchers
have all been examined and passed. You can inspect them when you like, Arthur;
now, if you please.«
    »It is quite enough, mother, to know that the business is completed. Shall I
proceed then?«
    »Why not?« she said, in her frozen way.
    »Mother, our House has done less and less for some years past, and our
dealings have been progressively on the decline. We have never shown much
confidence, or invited much; we have attached no people to us; the track we have
kept is not the track of the time; and we have been left far behind. I need not
dwell on this to you, mother. You know it necessarily.«
    »I know what you mean,« she answered, in a qualified tone.
    »Even this old house in which we speak,« pursued her son, »is an instance of
what I say. In my father's earlier time, and in his uncle's time before him, it
was a place of business - really a place of business, and business resort. Now,
it is a mere anomaly and incongruity here, out of date and out of purpose. All
our consignments have long been made to Rovinghams'
