I should be very sorry to see her engaged to a man whose fortunes are dependent on a brother in such financial straits as Mr.
Muir is undoubtedly in." "Do you think Henry Muir is in very great danger ?" "I do indeed." "Hum!" ejaculated Arnault, looking serious.
"What! would he involve you ?" "Oh, no, a mere trifle; but then--Well, please make some inquiries to-morrow, and I'll see you during the week." "I'll do anything I can to oblige you, Mr.Arnault.I wouldn't like my questions, however, to hurt Muir's credit, you understand." "Of course not, nor would I wish this; but as one of our brokers you can pick up some information, like enough.

I knew, as did others, that Muir was having a rather hard time of it, but if there is pressing danger I may have to take some action." "In that case of course you can command me." "I only wish to do what is fair and considerate among business men.
We'll lunch together when I come to town, and perhaps the case will be clearer then." During his drive with Miss Wildmere, Graydon simply adhered to the tactics which he had adopted, and she saw that he was waiting until the Arnault phase of the problem should be eliminated.

When, however, she took occasion to bewail the dismal prospects of her "poor papa," and to open the way for him to speak naturally of his own and his brother's affairs, he was gravely silent.

She didn't like this, for it tended to confirm her father's belief that they were in trouble, or else it looked like suspicion of her motive.

The trait of reticence which Graydon at times shared with his brother was not agreeable, for it suggested hidden processes of thought which might develop into very decisive action.