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my manner。 Coldness and distrust had been engendered in me； I knew；
by my bad experiences； they were not natural to me； and I often thought
how much I had lost in life； losing trustfulness； and how little I had gained；
gaining hard caution。 This state of mind being habitual to me； I troubled
myself more about this conversation than I might have troubled myself
about a greater matter。 I listened to his talk at dinner； and observed how
readily other men responded to it； and with what a graceful instinct he
adapted his subjects to the knowledge and habits of those he talked with。
As； in talking with me； he had easily started the subject I might be
supposed to understand best； and to be the most interested in； so； in talking
with others； he guided himself by the same rule。 The company was of a
varied character； but he was not at fault； that I could discover； with any
member of it。 He knew just as much of each man's pursuit as made him
agreeable to that man in reference to it； and just as little as made it natural
in him to seek modestly for information when the theme was broached。
As he talked and talked … but really not too much； for the rest of us
seemed to force it upon him … I became quite angry with myself。 I took his
face to pieces in my mind； like a watch； and examined it in detail。 I
could not say much against any of his features separately； I could say even
less against them when they were put together。 'Then is it not monstrous；'
I asked myself； 'that because a man happens to part his hair straight up the
middle of his head； I should permit myself to suspect； and even to detest
him？'
（I may stop to remark that this was no proof of my sense。 An
observer of men who finds himself steadily repelled by some apparently
trifling thing in a stranger is right to give it great weight。 It may be the
clue to the whole mystery。 A hair or two will show where a lion is
hidden。 A very little key will open a very heavy door。）
I took my part in the conversation with him after a time； and we got on
remarkably well。 In the drawing…room I asked the host how long he had
known Mr。 Slinkton。 He answered； not many months； he had met him at
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the house of a celebrated painter then present； who had known him well
when he was travelling with his nieces in Italy for their health。 His plans
in life being broken by the death of one of them； he was reading with the
intention of going back to college as a matter of form； taking his degree；
and going into orders。 I could not but argue with myself that here was
the true explanation of his interest in poor Meltham； and that I had been
almost brutal in my distrust on that simple head。
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III。
On the very next day but one I was sitting behind my glass partition；
as before； when he came into the outer office； as before。 The moment I
saw him again without hearing him； I hated him worse than ever。
It was only for a moment that I had this opportunity； for he waved his
tight…fitting black glove the instant I looked at him； and came straight in。
'Mr。 Sampson； good…day！ I presume； you see； upon your kind
permission to intrude upon you。 I don't keep my word in being justified
by business； for my business here … if I may so abuse the word … is of the
slightest nature。'
I asked； was it anything I could assist him in？
'I thank you； no。 I merely called to inquire outside whether my
dilatory friend had been so false to himself as to be practical and sensible。
But； of course； he has done nothing。 I gave him your papers with my
own hand； and he was hot upon the intention； but of course he has done
nothing。 Apart from the general human disinclination to do anything that
ought to be done； I dare say there is a specially about assuring one's life。
You find it like will…making。 People are so superstitious； and take it for
granted they will die soon afterwards。'
'Up here； if you please； straight up here； Mr。 Sampson。 Neither to the
right nor to the left。' I almost fancied I could hear him breathe the words
as he sat smiling at me； with that intolerable parting exactly opposite the
bridge of my nose。
'There is such a feeling sometimes； no doubt；' I replied； 'but I don't
think it obtains to any great extent。'
'Well；' said he； with a shrug and a smile； 'I wish some good angel
would influence my friend in the right direction。 I rashly promised his
mother and sister in Norfolk to see it done； and he promised them that he
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would do it。 But I suppose he never will。'
He spoke for a minute or two on indifferent topics； and went away。
I had scarcely unlocked the drawers of my writing…table next morning；
when he reappeared。 I noticed that he came straight to the door in the
glass partition； and did not pause a single moment outside。
'Can you spare me two minutes； my dear Mr。 Sampson？'
'By all means。'
'Much obliged；' laying his hat and umbrella on the table； 'I came early；
not to interrupt you。 The fact is； I am taken by surprise in reference to
this proposal my friend has made。'
'Has he made one？' said I。
'Ye…es；' he answered； deliberately looking at me； and then a bright idea
seemed to strike him … 'or he only tells me he has。 Perhaps that may be a
new way of evading the matter。 By Jupiter； I never thought of that！'
Mr。 Adams was opening the morning's letters in the outer office。 'What
is the name； Mr。 Slinkton？' I asked。
'Beckwith。'
I looked out at the door and requested Mr。 Adams； if there were a
proposal in that name； to bring it in。 He had already laid it out of his
hand on the counter。 It was easily selected from the rest； and he gave it
me。 Alfred Beckwith。 Proposal to effect a policy with us for two
thousand pounds。 Dated yesterday