Part 23 (1/2)

You'll find him in the office.”

William came in directly after, went up to his father and took his hand.

”Thank you, father,” he said. ”I didn't understand at first, but Miss Trap told me all about it. That you only wanted to try us----”

”Eh? Try you? Yes--yes, of course.... Yes, my son; it was--er--it was the only way I could see to make a sensible man of you, and get that artistic nonsense out of your head. Good idea, don't you think?

Compet.i.tion's a good thing all round--checks abnormal fluctuations of the market, you know.”

”Father, I'm the happiest man on earth.”

”Your respected mother-in-law, I've had the pleasure of meeting her before....”

”Have you, though?”

”Yes--abroad. It's many years ago now,” put in Mrs. Rantzau hastily.

”And now, William, you'd better go off and fetch Betty, I think,”

said Holm. ”And we'll have a little party this evening. I hope you will come too!”

”Thank you so much, Mr. Holm; I hope I can. But I must just speak to Alfred first.”

”Alfred?”

”My fiance, Banker Hermansen.”

”Oh yes, yes, of course. I really didn't know he had a Christian name--he's always been just Banker Hermansen.”

Holm came down into the shop, muttering to himself, ”Alfred--Alfred....” until he had to go into his inner office where he could laugh un.o.bserved. Of all the extraordinary things....

He thought of Bianca in the old days, and called to mind the ”Carnival of Venice,” the little supper at Pfortes--and in the midst of it all loomed the stiff, upright figure and solemn, clean-shaven face of Banker Hermansen.

He had never dreamed of such a marvel, still less expected to meet with it as a reality.

That same afternoon came a card from Hermansen: would be glad if Mr.

Holm could find time to come round some time during the day--a private matter. ”And if you would not mind coming in by the side door, you will find me alone in the office.”

Holm had once before been invited to call upon the banker ”privately”--in 1879, when he had been called upon to show his balance-sheet.

The mere thought of it gave him cold s.h.i.+vers even now. A devilish business! And the nasty mean way all his valuations were cut down....

He went in by the side entrance, and noticed how empty and deserted the place looked. The long counter and all the green-covered desks stood as if yawning wearily in the afternoon sun. It was almost uncanny to find everything so quiet.

The banker did not seem to notice his entry at first, but sat intent upon some papers at the big oak table.

”Good afternoon, Banker!”

”Ah, there you are! Forgive my troubling you to come round, Mr. Holm, but....”