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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。
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 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。
'From the Middle Temple； I see； Mr。 Slinkton。'
'Yes。 He lives on the same staircase with me； his door is
opposite。 I never thought he would make me his reference though。'
'It seems natural enough that he should。'
'Quite so； Mr。 Sampson； but I never thought of it。 Let me see。'
He took the printed paper from his pocket。 'How am I to answer all
these questions？'
'According to the truth； of course；' said I。
'O； of course！' he answered； looking up from the paper with a
smile； 'I meant they were so many。 But you do right to be
particular。 It stands to reason that you must be particular。 Will
you allow me to use your pen and ink？'
'Certainly。'
'And your desk？'
'Certainly。'
He had been hovering about between his hat and his umbrella for a
place to write on。 He now sat down in my chair； at my blotting…
paper and inkstand； with the long walk up his head in accurate
perspective before me； as I stood with my back to the fire。
Before answering each question he ran over it aloud； and discussed
it。 How long had he known Mr。 Alfred Beckwith？ That he had to
calculate by years upon his fingers。 What were his habits？ No
difficulty about them； temperate in the last degree； and took a
little too much exercise； if anything。 All the answers were
satisfactory。 When he had written them all； he looked them over；
and finally signed them in a very pretty hand。 He supposed he had
now done with the business。 I told him he was not likely to be
troubled any farther。 Should he leave the papers there？ If he
pleased。 Much obliged。 Good…morning。
I had had one other visitor before him； not at the office； but at
my own house。 That visitor had come to my bedside when it was not
yet daylight； and had been seen by no one else but by my faithful
confidential servant。
A second reference paper （for we required always two） was sent down
into Norfolk； and was duly received back by post。 This； likewise；
was satisfactorily answered in every respect。 Our forms were all
complied with； we accepted the proposal； and the premium for one
year was paid。
IV。
For six or seven months I saw no more of Mr。 Slinkton。 He called
once at my house； but I was not at home； and he once asked me to
dine with him in the Temple； but I was engaged。 His friend's
assurance was effected in March。 Late in September or early in
October I was down at Scarborough for a breath of sea…air； where I
met him on the beach。 It was a hot evening； he came toward me with
his hat in his hand； and there was the walk I had felt so strongly
disinclined to take in perfect order again； exactly in front of the
bridge of my nose。
He was not alone； but had a young lady on his arm。
She was dressed in mourning； and I looked at her with great
interest。 She had the appearance of being extremely delicate； and
her face was remarkably pale and melancholy； but she was very
pretty。 He introduced her as his niece； Miss Niner。
'Are you strolling； Mr。 Sampson？ Is it possible you can be idle？'
It WAS possible； and I WAS strolling。
'Shall we stroll together？'
'With pleasure。'
The young lady walked between us； and we walked on the cool sea
sand； in the direction of Filey。
'There have been wheels here；' said Mr。 Slinkton。 'And now I look
again； the wheels of a hand…carriage！ Margaret； my