Who is Mr. Clay from Anecdotes of Destiny ; and, Ehrengard and what is their importance?

Mr. Clay is a successful merchant in the city of Canton, China. Like Elishama, he is alone, but this is due to his rejection of his fellow human beings. Clay has no wife or family, and he has destroyed his partner. Now, old and sick, Clay cannot sleep. He is tired of hearing Elishama read his financial accounts and of old business deals.