CHAPTER IV.
A BUSINESS TRANSACTION.
Professor Valeyon led the way to the study, stood his cane in the corner, and placed a chair for his guest, in silence.

"Just like his father!" said he to himself, as he repaired to the mantel-piece for his pipe; "not a bit of his mother about him.

Who'd have thought so sickly a baby as they said he was, would have grown into such a giant ?--Smoke ?" he added, aloud.
"You must talk loud to me--I'm deaf," said the young man, with his hand to his ear.
"Pleasant thing in a pupil, that!" muttered the old gentleman, as he filled his pipe and lit it.

"How it reminds one of his father--that bright questioning look, when he leans forward! One might know who he was by that and nothing else!" He sat down in his chair, and ruminated a moment.
"Hardly expected you up here so soon after your loss," observed he, in as kindly a tone and manner as was comportable with speaking in a very loud key.
"Loss! I've had no loss!" returned Bressant, with a look of perplexity.
"Oh! you mean my father!" he exclaimed, suddenly, throwing his head back with a half-smile.

He very seldom laughed aloud.