"Do you employ your European travels in business transactions," asked Alison gravely.
"Not I; I went in Miss Forest's interests. It was to look after an old debt we have often tried to settle, but in vain."
The young merchant's attention was now fully aroused.
"Is the debt a large one?" he asked, as if incidentally.
"Yes."
"And you hope to secure it?"
"I hope so."
"Then I wish you success," said Alison with animation. "It is always pleasant for a merchant to cancel old debts."
"Do you think so?" asked Atkins maliciously. "It may cost us half a million."
Happily, Alison did not hear these last words, which were spoken only half aloud; for at this moment, his whole attention was directed to the windows of the house before which they halted. Atkins rang the bell and the door was opened by Frederic who was expecting his master. His face grew noticeably long as he saw Mr. Atkins, who, during his stay in B., had not laid claim to the doctor's hospitality, but had lodged at a hotel, daily calling at the house where his ward was staying.