A Business Transaction

Professor Valeyon led the way to the study, stood his cane in the
corner, and placed a chair for his guest, in silence. "Just like his
father!" said he to himself, as he repaired to the mantel-piece for his
pipe; "not a bit of his mother about him. Who'd have thought so sickly a
baby as they said he was, would have grown into such a giant?--Smoke?"
he added, aloud.

"You must talk loud to me--I'm deaf," said the young man, with his hand
to his ear.

"Pleasant thing in a pupil, that!" muttered the old gentleman, as he
filled his pipe and lit it. "How it reminds one of his father--that
bright questioning look, when he leans forward! One might know who he
was by that and nothing else!" He sat down in his chair, and ruminated a
moment.

"Hardly expected you up here so soon after your loss," observed he, in
as kindly a tone and manner as was comportable with speaking in a very
loud key.

"Loss! I've had no loss!" returned Bressant, with a look of perplexity.
"Oh! you mean my father!" he exclaimed, suddenly, throwing his head back
with a half-smile. He very seldom laughed aloud. "There was nothing to
do. The funeral was the day before yesterday. I did all the business
before then. Yesterday I packed up, and here I am!"

"Death couldn't have been unexpected, I presume?" said the professor,
on whom Bressant's manner made an impression of resignation to his loss
rather too complete.