The Gilded Age, Part 4.

Whatever may have been the language of Harry's letter to the Colonel, the information it conveyed was condensed or expanded, one or the other, from the following episode of his visit to New York:
He called, with official importance in his mien, at No.— Wall street, where a great gilt sign betokened the presence of the head-quarters of the Columbus River Slack-Water Navigation Company. He entered and gave a dressy porter his card, and was requested to wait a moment in a sort of ante-room. The porter returned in a minute; and asked whom he would like to see?
The president of the company, of course.
He is busy with some gentlemen, sir; says he will be done with them directly.
That a copper-plate card with Engineer-in-Chief on it should be received with such tranquility as this, annoyed Mr. Brierly not a little. But he had to submit. Indeed his annoyance had time to augment a good deal; for he was allowed to cool his heels a frill half hour in the ante-room before those gentlemen emerged and he was ushered into the presence. He found a stately dignitary occupying a very official chair behind a long green morocco-covered table, in a room with sumptuously carpeted and furnished, and well garnished with pictures.

Good morning, sir; take a seat—take a seat.
Thank you sir, said Harry, throwing as much chill into his manner as his ruffled dignity prompted.
We perceive by your reports and the reports of the Chief Superintendent, that you have been making gratifying progress with the work.—We are all very much pleased.