"Your attention, if you can give it, sir—one moment at your desk."
"Whatever you've got to say, say it here."
"No, sir, I must see you privately."
Wilkins and Guly both looked at Arthur in mute astonishment. His face was flushed and heated, his breath
came short, like one who had been running, and his eyes and lips, and whole manner, evinced intense agitation and excitement.
"Is it such particular business, young man, that you must detain me now?" said the merchant, somewhat angered at the prospect of detention from his usual dinner hour.
"It is very particular business to me, sir; and interests you not much less."
Mr. Delancey waved his hand impatiently, for Arthur to precede him to his desk; then, with hasty step, and planting his cane each tread visibly on the floor, he followed him, and seating himself with formal precision, took off his hat, and leant stiffly back in his chair.
"Well, sir?"
Arthur would almost have as soon undergone the terrors of the Inquisition as to brave the tempest he expected soon to fall upon his devoted head. He called up all his courage, however, and began.