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202 "But what's the matter?" said Mr. Gaveston, without urging the invitation. "You must have had some particular reason for sending for me."

"I had, Sir," replied Mr. Simpson, "a very particular reason." Here he paused, as if he found some difficulty in announcing the motive of his summons. "In short, Mr. Gaveston, I have made up my mind to resign my situation. I do not think I can be of any further use here; and I propose to retire, and end my days in the country."

"You don't think of such a thing, I hope, Simpson," replied Mr. Gaveston, with an unusual appearance of sincerity. "You have been conducting this business for many years to the entire satisfaction of every body concerned with you; why should you leave it now?"

"Because, Sir," returned Mr. Simpson, "I feel that I cannot henceforth conduct it to my own satisfaction; without which the approbation of others will be of very little avail to me."

"Why not, Sir?" asked Mr. Gaveston, with a less complacent voice and countenance. "If you mean because after my marriage Miss Wentworth I shall become sole proprietor of the concern, you need not throw up your