I want to dress for dinner, I am going to the theatre to-night and must dine early," replied Aylward in a voice of the utmost unconcern.
"It is, Sir Robert," went on Alan with a rush, "that I do not like the lines upon which this business is being worked, and I wish to give up my interest in it and retire from the firm, as I have a right to do under our deed of partnership." "Have you ?" said Aylward.

"Really, I forget.

But, my dear fellow, do not think that we should wish to keep you for one moment against your will.
Only, might I ask, has that old puritan, Jackson, hypnotized you, or is it a case of sudden madness after influenza ?" "Neither," answered Alan sternly, for although he might be diffident on matters that he did not thoroughly understand, he was not a man to brook trifling or impertinence.

"It is what I have said, no more nor less.

I am not satisfied either as to the capitalization or as to the guarantee that the enterprise can be really carried out.