towards him with his cane, and depositing his feet thereupon:" at least, I dined and spent last evening in his company, and never wish to meet a better fellow."

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But," continued Annie, pursuing her train of thought, "if he is a gentleman, why does he want to go out as a tutor ?"

“Because, unfortunately, there is a vulgar prejudice extant in this feeble-minded country, that the necessaries of life, such as bread and cheese, cigars, kid gloves, and the like, must be paid for; this requires money, whereof Arundel has little or nonc. Moreover, Richard Frere hinted at a mother and sister in the case, who likewise have to be supported." As he spoke, a shade of deeper thought flitted across Annie's expressive features, and after a moment's pause she resumed.

"Now I understand his strange manner; he was mentally contrasting himself (he is evidently a proud man) and his position; it must indeed have been a struggle—and he does this for the sake of his mother and sister. Charles, do you know, I rather admire him."

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ating on the advisability of petitioning Parliament against the veal trade, or some other question of equal interest to the milky mothers of the herd.'”

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Whilst Annie and her cousin thus gaily conversed, a very different scene was passing in the library. During a short delay, occasioned by General Grant's being obliged to answer a note, Lewis had time to recollect himself, and to school the rebellious feelings which his conversation with Leicester and the other events of the morning had called into action. He thought of Rose and his mother, and his determination that they at least should be spared all knowledge of the real evils of poverty; and this reflection was for the time sufficient to efface every selfish consideration. Bringing his strength of will into play, he regained the most complete self-control, and even experienced a sort of morbid pleasure in the idea of voluntarily humiliating himself before the proud old man, whose clear, cold eye was occasionally raised from the note he was employed in writing, to fix its scrutinizing glance on Lewis's features.

Having sealed the missive, and given it to a servant, he slowly approached the spot where Lewis "Yes, I dare say you do; he's a decidedly good-was standing, and after a word or two of apology for looking fellow for the style of man; there's a thorough bred air about him, and he carries himself well."

'Psha! I am not talking of his appearance: except that he is tall and dark, I scarcely know what he is like," returned Annie, quickly. "No! I mean that there is something fine in the idea of a proud mind submitting to degradations and indignities for the sake of those it loves; bearing with a martyr-spirit the thousand hourly annoyances— Checking herself suddenly, as she perceived upon her cousin's face something nearly akin to a contemptuous smile, Annie continued, impatiently-" Charles, how stupid you are! I hate you!"

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"Not possible," was the cool reply. "Moreover, you have really no cause to do so. I assure you I was not exactly laughing at your sudden plunge into the sentimental; it was merely a notion which crossed my mind, that out of the thousand hourly annoyances by which poor Arundel is to be martyrized, some nine hundred and fifty would originate in the caprices of a certain young lady, who shall be nameless. In the monotony of life, amid the leafy shades of Broadhurst, even teazing a tutor may be deemed a new and interesting variety, as the botanists have it--Seriously, though, you can get the General to let him teach you German."

"And embellish my water-colour sketches by the insertion of occasional cows, with impossible tails made to order-eh, cousin Charley ?" returned Annie, with an arch smile. "Give me my drawing, sir, and let me look at the creature. How well he has done it! -I know a cow at Broadhurst with just such a face!"

having kept him waiting, began.

“I presume my nephew, Mr. Leicester, has made you in some degree acquainted with the nature of the circumstances in which I am at present placed, and of the necessity which renders me anxious to secure the services of some gentleman as tutor to my ward, Si Walter Desborough ?"

"Mr. Leicester informed me that the young gentleman's education had been neglected, and that his mind was singularly undeveloped," replied Lewis, choosing the least offensive terms in which he might express his conviction that the youth in question was rather a fool than otherwise.

"Yes, sir, though it is even worse than you describe," returned the General. "In fact, it depends upon the degree of success which may attend the efforts which must now be made, whether Sir Walter Desborough can ever be considered capable of managing his own affairs, or able to take that place in society to which his rank and fortune would naturally entitle him. You perceive, therefore, that the post of tutor will be one of much trust and importance, and the duties attending it most onerous. Mr. Frere has written so high a character of your various attainments, that I cannot but feel perfectly satisfied of your competency; but you are very young, and as I should, in the event of your undertaking the charge, expect a strict performance of your duties, it is only fair to inform you that I conceive they may be irksome in the extreme. What is your feeling on the subject ? ” Lewis paused for a moment in thought, and then replied,

"I will be frank with you, sir. Were I frce to act "There's a world of speculation in the eye," re- as I chose, such an office as you describe would be joined Leicester, carelessly, though he was slightly one of the last I should select; but the welfare surprised at the extent of her information respecting of others depends upon my exertions, and I have the "tail" debate; "the animal appears to be rumin-determined to refuse no occupation not unworthy a

tinued Leicester, "to try and hit on some worthy | charity absolve the lie. Rather shaky divinity, eh, against whom no valid objection could be raised; at Frere? Well, au revoir; I'm off.”

one moment, I thought of Moses

times," interposed Miss Livingstone.

So saying, Mr. Tom Bracy-for he it was, and none

"I fancied it was restricted to men of modern other-dashed down the stairs, and having deeply scandalized Frere's ancient domestic by an anxious inquiry how it was she did not get a husband, took his departure.

"He to whom I referred, ma'am," returned Leicester, "was not the Israelitish lawgiver, but the man of the City Mart, that benevolent individual who clothes poverty in a light paletot at ten-and-six,' and enables the honest hearts of free-born Britons to palpitate beneath a 'gent's superior vest' for the trifling remuneration of five shillings."

This speech was algebra, or thereabouts, to the lady to whom it was addressed, but she had a sort of instinctive apprehension that Leicester was talking nonsense, and accordingly drew herself up stiffly, completing her resemblance to Minerva by composing her features into a very satisfactory likeness of the Gorgon. No way affected by this transformation, Leicester continued :

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"On mature reflection, however, I discarded Moses & Son, and was going to give it up as hopeless, when, all of a sudden, a bright thought flashed across and, springing to my fect, I exclaimed, in a voice of thunder, Gentlemen, I have it; the difficulty is one no longer; the greatest modern benefactor to the human race is-BASS!""

me,

"Who?" exclaimed Miss Livingstone, entirely mystified, and a good deal flurried by the narrator's unusual energy.

Bass," resumed Leicester; "that remarkable man, whose gigantic intellect first conceived the project of regenerating society through the medium of pale ale! The idea was hailed with enthusiasm; we immediately sent for a dozen; and, ere the liquor was disposed of, there was not a man present but would have staked hundreds on the soundness of my opinion."

CHAPTER VIII.

LEWIS RECEIVES A LECTURE, AND A COLD BATH.

LEWIS, after a solitary walk, during which he was revolving in his mind the step he had just taken, and striving to discern in the dull lead-coloured horizon of his future one ray of light which might yield promise of brighter times to come, was ascending Frere's staircase, when the door of the room above opened suddenly, and a voice which he thought he recognised, exclaimed,—

"Then I may depend upon you; you'll be with me by eight at the latest, and bring your friend, if possible. Ah! here he is! Mr. Arundel, delighted to see you none the worse for last night, I hope-wasn't it glorious? Grandeville has got such a face on him, he won't be able to show for a week to come; and Meeking of the pallid features is so scedy this morning, that I was forced to burthen my conscience by inventing a fictitious fall from his horse, on the strength of which I sent his mamma to nurse him. We must book that to the pious fraud account, and let the

"Frere!" exclaimed Lewis, throwing himself into a chair, and coldly repulsing Faust, who never could imagine himself otherwise than welcome, "I've done it!"

"So have I, man," was the reply; "and pretty considerably brown, too, as that nice youth who has ! just left me would call it. But what have you done

to make you so doleful?"

"Sold myself," returned Lewis, bitterly. "Not to the old gentleman, I hope," rejoined Frere, "though your black looks would almost lead one to imagine so."

"What weak inconsistent fools we are!" pursued

Lewis.

Speak for yourself, young man," observed Frere, parenthetically.

"How vacillating and impotent," continued Lewis, not heeding the interruption, " is even the strongest will! I have done this morning the thing I believed I most anxiously desired to do-the thing I came here hoping to accomplish-I have secured a com- i petence for my mother and sister. I have done so on better terms than I had deemed possible. I have met with consideration, if not kindness, from-from my employer." He pronounced the word firmly, though his temples throbbed, and his lip quivered with suppressed emotion as he did so. "All this should make me contented, if not happy. Happy!" he repeated, mockingly. "Frere," he continued, with a sudden burst of impetuosity," it has not done soI am miserable!"

He rose from his scat, and began pacing the room with impatient strides. Faust followed him for one or two turns, wagging his tail, and gazing up into his face with loving eyes; but finding his efforts to attract ¦ attention unavailing, he uttered a piteous whine, and, retreating to a corner, crouched down, as perfectly aware that his master was unhappy, as if he had been a human creature, and could have "told his love" in words. Frere would have spoken, but Lewis checked him by a gesture, and continued his rapid walk for some minutes in silence. At length he spoke :

"You think me selfish and ungrateful, and you are right; I am so. I have schooled myself to bear all this, and I will bear it; but bitter thoughts arise, and at times overpower me-I am very young,” (“ True for you," muttered Frere, sotto voce,) "and I am so unfit for such a life as lies before me, a life of tame and ceaseless drudgery, in which to indulge the high aspirations and noble daring that win men honour, ¦ becomes misplaced folly-to live with people whose equal, if not superior, I feel myself, in a semi-menial capacity; to obey when I would command; to forfeit all that is bright and fair in existence-intercourse

with the higher order of minds, the society of pure | just men made perfect; intercourse (with reverence only and refined spirits,—and above all to lose the only thing be it spoken) with the source of all good, Omniscience I really prize on earth, my independence.-Well," he our teacher, Omnipotence our only ruler, Perfect continued after a pause, "the die is cast, and re- Justice our lawgiver, Perfect Wisdom our director, pining is worse than useless. I will give this experi- the Powers of Heaven for our associates, and our ment a fair trial; it may be the harness will sit casier own souls freed from the trammels of mortality, fitted on me than I imagine; and should it become unbear- to appreciate and enjoy these inestimable blessings; able, I can but cast it off and start afresh-there is and all this, not for time but for eternity. Lewis, you such a thing as to compel one's destiny." are a reasonable being, and to your own reason I will leave the question.”

"Now listen to me, Lewis," observed Frere; "what you have just said is no doubt true enough,-you are There was silence for some minutes: at length about as unfit in tastes and habits for the life that is Lewis raised his head, revealing features on which the before you, as a man well can be, but for that reason it is traces of deep emotion were visible, and stretching exactly the very best thing for you. For what purpose out his hand to his friend, said in a voice which do you suppose we are sent into this world? Most trembled from excess of feeling, "God bless you, assuredly not only to please ourselves, and, by follow- Frere; you are indeed a true friend!" He paused; ing out our own desires and caprices, create a sphere then added suddenly, "Frere, promise me one thing,— for the exercise and increase of our natural faults-promise me that whatever I may do, whatever rash act no: the only true view of life is as a school, wherein our characters are to be disciplined, and all the changes and chances, sorrows, trials, and temptations we meet with, are the agents by which the education of the soul is carried on."

"And a low, wretched view of life it is," replied Lewis bitterly; a seventy years' pupilage under the rod of destiny. The heathen sage was right who said, that those whom the gods love die early. If it were not for Rose and my mother, I would join some regiment bound for India, volunteer into every forlorn hope, and trust that some Sikh bullet would rid me of the burthen of life without my incurring the guilt of suicide."

"In fact, you would die like an idiot, because you lack moral courage to face the evils of life like a man," returned Frere: "but wait a bit; your argument, such as it is, is founded on a fallacy, or on that still more dangerous thing, a half-truth. Granting that life were one secne of bitter experiences,-which would be granting a very large lie,-for what is this discipline intended to fit us?-that is the question. You are ambitious-how would you regard obstacles in your path to greatness? You would rejoice in them, would you not, as opportunities for bringing out the high qualities you fancy you possess; fortitude, courage, indomitable perseverance, ready wit, aptitude to lead and govern your fellow-men, and fifty other magnanimous attributes; and deem the greatness unworthy your notice could it be obtained without a struggle. But what is human greatness? A triumph for the hour, bringing its attendant cares and evils with it,-mark that-a bauble, which some other ambitious genius may possibly wrest from your grasp, which old age would unfit you to retain, of which death must deprive you in a few years more or less. Now take the true, the Christian's view of life-obstacles to overcome, demanding all our strength of mind, and then proving too mighty for us without the assistance of a Power superior to that of man, but which will be given us if we seek it properly. And the victory won, what is the prize we shall obtain? A position, according to our advances in righteousness, among the spirits of

or evil deed my feelings may hurry me into, you will not give me up; that while we both live you will act by me as you have done to-day-that you will preserve me from myself, stand between me and my fiery nature; then shall I feel that I am not utterly deserted-you will be the link that shall still bind me to virtue."

Well, if you fancy it will make you any happier, or better, or more reasonable, I will promise it," returned Frere; "more particularly as I should most probably do it whether I promise it or not."

"You promise, then ?" asked Lewis, eagerly. "I do," replied Frere.

Lewis once more wrung his friend's hand with such cagerness as to elicit a grimace of pain from that excellent individual, and then continued:

"A conversation of this nature regularly upsets me; I must go out and walk off this excitement before I shall be fit for anything. Come, Faust, good dog! I spoke up for Faust to-day, Frere, and the General accorded a dignified assent :-' A dog, more or less, will make little difference in such an establishment as Broadhurst.'"

'Did he say that ?" inquired Frere. "Word for word," returned Lewis.

Well, I thought better things of him!-'What fools folks is!' as my old lady down-stairs says. Are you off?- Mind you are at home in good time for dinner, for I have been seduced into accepting another evening engagement for us."

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Any more fighting ?" asked Lewis anxiously.
No, thank goodness for that same!" returned
Frere.

"I wish I could meet that long Chartist," continued Lewis, shaking his fist; "not that I bear him any ill-will, but it would be such a relief to me, just now, to knock somebody down. Mayn't I set Faust at a policeman?"

"Not unless you prefer Brixton to Broadhurst, and the treadmill to the tutorship," returned Frere.

Well, good-bye till dinner-time," responded Lewis, leaving the room; "I won't punish your carpet any longer:-Come, Faust!"

"That is a most singular young man," soliloquized With a bound like the spring of a lion the noble Frere, as he took down and unrolled a Persian ma- dog dashed into the water, and swam vigorously nuscript; "very like an excitable steam-engine with towards the object of his quest, reached it, seized it an ill-regulated safety-valve, in disposition; I only in his powerful jaws, and turned his head towards the hope he won't blow up bodily while I have the care bank in preparation for his homeward voyage, while of him. He is a fine fellow, too, and it's impossible the delighted child laughed and shouted with joy at not to be very fond of him,—but he's an awful respon- the prospect of regaining his lost treasure. Instead, sibility for a quiet man to have thrust upon him." however, of proceetling at once towards the shore, the dog remained stationary, beating the water with his fore-paws to keep himself afloat, and occasionally uttering an uneasy whine.

Meanwhile Lewis, walking hurriedly up one street and down another, with the design of allaying the fever of his mind by bodily exercise, found himself at length in the neighbourhood of Hyde-park, and, tempted by the beauty of the afternoon, he continued his stroll till he reached Kensington-gardens. Here, stretching himself on one of the benches, he watched the groups of gaily dressed loungers, and listened to the military band, till he began to fear he might be late for Frere's dinner; and retracing his steps, he proceeded along the bank of the Serpentine towards Hyde-park-corner. As he arrived nearly opposite the receiving-house of the Humane Society, his attention was attracted by the lamentations of a small child, whom all the endearments of a sympathizing nurserymaid were powerless to console. The child being a fine sturdy boy, and the maid remarkably pretty, Lewis was moved by a sudden impulse of compassion to stop and inquire the cause of the grief he beheld. It was soon explained :

Master Tom had come to sail a little boat which his grandpapa had given him; the string, by which the length of its voyage was to have been regulated, had broken, and the boat had drifted farther and farther from its hapless owner, until at last it had reached a species of buoy, to which the park-keeper's punt was occasionally moored, and there it had chosen to stick hard and fast. In this rebellious little craft was embarked, so to speak, all Master Tom's present stock of earthly happiness; thence the sorrow which Mary's caresses were unable to assuage, and thence the lamentations which had attracted Lewis's attention.

"Don't cry so, my little man, and we'll see if we can't find a way of getting it for you," observed Lewis encouragingly, raising the distressed ship-owner in his arms, to afford him a better view of his stranded property. 'We must ask my dog to go and fetch it for us :-Come here, Mr. Faust. You are not afraid of him?-he won't hurt you-that's right, pat him; there's a brave boy; now ask him to fetch your boat for you. Say, 'Please, Mr. Faust, go and get me my boat!'-say so." And the child, half-pleased, halffrightened, but with implicit faith in the dog's intellectual powers, and the advisability of conciliating its good will, and imploring its assistance, repeated the desired formula with great unction.

"That's well!-Now, nurse, take care of Master -what did you say?-ay, Master Tom, while I show Faust where the boat is." As he spoke he took up a stone, and, attracting Faust's attention to his proceedings, jerked it into the water just beyond the spot where the boat lay, at the same time directing him to fetch it.

"Here, Faust! Faust! what in the world's the matter with him ?" exclaimed Lewis, calling the dog, and inciting him by gestures to return, but in vain; his struggles only became more violent, without his making the slightest progress through the water.

Attracted by the sight, a knot of loungers gathered round the spot, and various suggestions were hazarded as to the dog's unaccountable behaviour. “I think he must be seized with cramp," observed a good-natured round-faced man, in a velveteen jacket, who looked like one of the park-keepers. "The animal is suicidally disposed, apparently," remarked a tall aristocraticlooking young man, with a sinister expression of countenance, to which a pair of thick moustaches imparted a character of fierceness. "Anxious to submit to the cold-water cure, more probably," remarked his companion. "It will be kill rather than cure with him, before long," returned the former speaker, with a half laugh; "he's getting lower in the water every minute."

"He is caught by the string of the boat which is twisted round the buoy!" exclaimed Lewis, who, during the above conversation, had seized the branch of a tree, and, raising himself by his hands, had reached a position from which he was able to perceive the cause of his favourite's disaster; "he'll be drowned if he is not unfastened. Who knows where the key of the boat-house is kept ?"

"I'll run and fetch it," cried the good-natured man; "it's at the receiving-house, I believe."

Quick! or it will be of no use!" said Lewis, in the greatest excitement.

The man hurried off, but the crowd round the spot had now become so dense-even carriages filled with fashionably-dressed ladies having stopped to learn the catastrophe-that it was no easy matter for him to make his way through it, and several minutes elapsed without witnessing his return. In the mean time the poor dog's struggles were becoming fainter and fainter; his whining had changed to something between a hoarse bark and a howl, a sound so clearly indicative of suffering as to be most distressing to the bystanders; and it was evident that if some effort were not speedily made for his relief, he must sink. "He shall not perish unassisted!" exclaimed Lewis, impetuously; "who will lend me a knife ?" Several were immediately offered him, from which he selected one with a broad blade.

May I inquire how you propose to prevent the catastrophe ?" asked superciliously the moustached gentleman to whom we have before alluded.