Livingstone, however, had suddenly disappeared; so Clark read the letter.
It was very brief.

It said that Livingstone had never known until the night before how much he owed him; that he was not sure even now that he knew the full extent of his indebtedness, but at least he had come to recognize that he owed much of his business success to Mr.Clark's wisdom and fidelity; and he asked as a personal favor to him that Clark would accept the enclosed as a token of his gratitude, and would consider favorably his proposal.
Opening an enclosed envelope, Clark found two papers.

One was a full release of the mortgage on Clark's house (Livingstone had spent the morning in securing it), the other was a Memorandum of "Articles of Partnership" between Berryman Livingstone and John Clark, beginning from that very day,--indeed, from the day before,--all ready, signed by Livingstone and wanting only Mr.Clark's signature to make it complete.
Mr.Clark, with his face quite white and looking almost awed, turned and walked into the next room where he found Livingstone standing alone.

The old clerk was still holding the papers clutched in his hand and was walking as if in a dream.
"Mr.Livingstone," he began, "I can never--I am overwhelmed!--Your letter--your gifts--" But Livingstone interrupted him.

His face was not white but red.
"Nonsense!" he said, as he turned and put his hand on the other's shoulder.