He was conscious of the necessity of subduing his voice, and had a certain pleasure in the ease with which he achieved this feat.

It would not have been so easy a day or two ago.
'Ah, about this awkward affair of yours,' observed Mr.Westlake with reference to Richard's loss of his employment, of which, as editor of the Union's weekly paper, he had of course at once been apprised.
'No, not about that.

Since then a very unexpected thing has happened to me.' The story was once more related, vastly to Mr.Westlake's satisfaction.
Cheerful news concerning his friends always put him in the best of spirits.
He shook his head, laughing.
'Come, come, Mutimer, this'll never do! I'm not sure that we shall not have to consider your expulsion from the Union.' Richard went on to mention the matters of legal routine in which he hoped Mr.Westlake would serve him.

These having been settled-- 'I wish to speak of something more important,' he said.

'You take it for granted, I hope, that I'm not going to make the ordinary use of this fortune.