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106 'Yes, Charles?' I answered.

'I sometimes wish we had got him on the Board of the Cloetedorp Golcondas. Mag—nificent combinations he would make in the City!'

I rose from my seat and stared solemnly at my misguided brother-in-law.

'Charles,' I said, 'you are beside yourself. Too much Colonel Clay has told upon your clear and splendid intellect. There are certain remarks which, however true they may be, no self-respecting financier should permit himself to make, even in the privacy of his own room, to his most intimate friend and trusted adviser.'

Charles fairly broke down. 'You are right, Sey,' he sobbed out. 'Quite right. Forgive this outburst. At moments of emotion the truth will sometimes out, in spite of everything.'

I respected his feebleness. I did not even make it a fitting occasion to ask for a trifling increase of salary.