Everything was open to such a man as he, in such a city, and they only wondered why he had been content to remain so long, shut away from his own kind.
These expressions of brotherly interest were very pleasant to Mr.
Belcher.

They flattered him and paved the way for a career.

He would soon be hand-in-glove with them all.

He would soon find the ways of their prosperity, and make himself felt among them.
The long afternoon wore away, and, just as the sun was setting, Mrs.
Belcher was called from the drawing-room by some family care, leaving Mr.Belcher and Mrs.Dillingham together.
"Don't be gone long," said the latter to Mrs.Belcher, as she left the room.
"Be gone till to-morrow morning," said Mr.Belcher, in a whisper at Mrs.
Dillingham's ear.
"You're a wretch," said the lady.
"You're right--a very miserable wretch.

Here you've been playing the devil with a hundred men all day, and I've been looking at you.