He was, nevertheless, frank and confident in those he trusted, and true in his friendships, though, considering his age, too slow in making a friend.

Such was Henry Norman at the time at which our tale begins.

What were the faults in his character it must be the business of the tale to show.
The other young clerk in this office to whom we alluded is Alaric Tudor.

He is a year older than Henry Norman, though he began his official career a year later, and therefore at the age of twenty-one.

How it happened that he contrived to pass the scrutinizing instinct and deep powers of examination possessed by the chief clerk, was a great wonder to his friends, though apparently none at all to himself.