the spot, with loud cries for help. In | Mr Aubrey, who returned his cordial

the midst of this sickening scene, the door was opened by Vice.

"Hollo-what's the matter?" said he, locking the door after him, and coming up to the group round the fallen and miserable man who had been struck.

"Who did it?" cried he fiercely, on catching sight of the prostrate

man.

"I did," sullenly answered the perpetrator of the outrage. "He called me a cheat."

"You did!" quoth Vice, suddenly grasping him by the collar, as with the hand of a giant, and forcing him, despite his struggling, down to the floor, when he put one knee on his breast, and then shook him till he began to get black in the face.

"D-n it, Vice, don't murder him!" cried one of the bystanders, all of whom seemed disposed to interfere violently; but at this point, the man who had been struck, and had been lying for some minutes motionless, suddenly began to dash about his arms and legs convulsively, for he had fallen into a fit of epilepsy. The attention of all present was now absorbed by this one dreadful figure; and the man whom Vice had quitted, rose flushed and breathless from the floor, and looked with a face of horror upon the victim of his ungovernable passions.

pressure with convulsive energy, but in silence, for his shocked and overcharged feelings forbade him utterance. Mr Runnington looked both annoyed and distressed-for Vice had refused to discharge his prisoner on Mr Runnington's undertaking, telling him the sum was a trifle too large for running any risk; and, in short, he peremptorily refused to do it without a written authority from the undersheriff; and added, he knew it was useless for Mr Runnington to make the application-for they had only a few months before been "let in" for eight hundred pounds in that same way-so that Mr Runnington had better, said Vice, be looking after a good bail-bond. In a word, Vice was inexorable; and a hint of the possibility of Mr Aubrey's flight to the Continent, dropped by Mr Spitfire to the under-sheriff, had caused that functionary to advise Vice "to look sharp after his bird."

"At all events let Mr Aubrey be shown into your parlour, Vice," said Mr Runnington, "and I will settle with you when I return. I am just going to the office, to see what I can do with Mr Ridley."

"It's no manner of use; and besides, it's ten to one you don't catch him-he's gone to Clapham by this time," said Vice, looking up at the dusky Dutch clock over the fireplace. "I must get a doctor," quoth Vice, But Mr Runnington was not to be so presently," approaching the door; easily discouraged, and started off on and in passing Mr Aubrey, who sat his friendly errand; on which Vice down looking exceedingly agitated-led Mr Aubrey up-stairs into his "par"Oh-here you are!" said he : come you along with me.'

"I hope this poor man will be properly attended to -interposed Mr Aubrey, anxiously.

lour," telling him, as they went along, that there were only two other "gentlemen" there, and so "them three could make it comfortable to one another, if they liked." Vice added, "That's my look-out, not yours," that as he had only one double-bedded replied Vice rudely-"come you along room at liberty, they must agree with me, I tell you!" and, unlocking among themselves which should sleep the door, he motioned out Mr Aubrey; on the sofa- or perhaps take it by and, after sending off a man for a sur-turns. geon, led Mr Aubrey into a kind of office-where his hands were instantly grasped by those of Mr Runnington, who had been there some five minutes. He appeared an angel, in the eyes of

On entering the parlour two figures were visible; one that of a tall, pale, emaciated, gentlemanly person of about forty, who lay on the sofa languidly smoking a cigar, more ap

have thought it? asked everybody. In a trice, he was nowhere to be seen or heard of, but at length intelligence of his movements having been obtain

victims, led to his apprehension in the way which has been already mentioned. Of all this, Mr Aubrey, of course, knew nothing-but, nevertheless, he was somewhat struck with the man's countenance and manner. With what awful interest would Mr Aubrey have regarded him, had he known that the miserable being before him was then determined upon self-destruction-and that within two days' time he would actually accomplish his frightful purpose -For he was found in bed, a ghastly object,-his head almost severed from his body.

parently to assuage pain than for the | was in a ferment. Astonishment prepurpose of mere enjoyment. The vailed at the Exchange. Who could other was a portly greyhaired man, apparently about fifty, and also of gentlemanly appearance. He was standing with his back to the fireplace-one hand thrust into his waist-ed by one of his numerous distracted coat, and the other holding a tumbler, which he raised to his lips, as Vice entered, and having drained it, requested him to replenish it. 'Twas the third tumbler of strong brandyand-water which he had despatched that evening; and his restless and excited eye, and voluble utterance, testified to the influence of what he had been drinking. On Vice's retir. ing, this gentleman began to address Mr Aubrey in a rapid and somewhat incoherent strain-telling him of the accident which had that morning befallen him; for that Vice had laid his rough hand upon him, just as he In the other-a ruined young man was embarking in an Indiaman, off of birth and station-Mr Aubrey was Blackwall, to bid farewell to this infinitely shocked at presently recog"cursed country' " for ever. This nising the features of one whom he man had been a thriving merchant in had slightly known at Oxford. This the city; and, for a series of years, was a member of an ancient and universally respected. He had mar- honourable family, and born to a very ried a fashionable wife; and their am- large fortune, which he had totally bition and absurd extravagance, com- dissipated in every conceivable mode bined with losses, originating in a of extravagance and profligacy, both want of confidence in him, on the at home and abroad, and moreover, in part of his mercantile connections, doing so, had also ruined his confrom his ostentation, irregularities, stitution. He had taken honours at and inattention to business, drove him Oxford, and was expected to have to gambling speculations. Unfortu- become eminent in parliament. At nate there, he took to courses of down- college, however, his tendency to proright dishonesty; availing himself of fligacy rapidly developed itself. He his character and power as trustee, became notorious for his debaucheexecutor, and otherwise, to draw ries, and made ostentation of his infiout of the funds, from time to time, delity. He had returned from France large sums of money, to the utter ruin only a few days before, in an advanced of ten or twelve unfortunate families, stage of consumption; and having whose deceased relatives had quitted been pounced upon by one of his nulife with implicit confidence in his in- merous infuriate creditors, hither he tegrity! The guilty splendour thus had been brought the evening before secured him, lasted for some few years, - and would be the next morning when an accident set him suddenly lodged in the Fleet, as he could prowrong;-a beautiful girl, for whom cure no bail; and there he might, he was sole trustee, and every far- possibly, live till he could apply to thing of whose fortune he had appro- take the benefit of the insolvent act. priated to his own purposes, applied Even if he should be successful in to him for the immediate settlement this last stroke, he could not possibly of her property. The next morning he survive it beyond a few weeks! And had stopped payment; Mincing Lane | he had nothing then to look forward

to, but a pauper's burial - for his poor Aubrey; "it is indeed very hard family had long sternly discarded to bear!" and he wrung Mr Runninghim. He at length recognised Mr ton's hand—that gentleman being alAubrey; and raising himself up on most as much affected as his unfortuthe sofa, extended his wasted hand nate client; who, however, on being to his fellow-collegian, who shook it left by Mr Runnington, felt grateful kindly-much shocked at his appear- indeed to the Almighty for so powerance. What a marvellous difference be-ful and valuable a friend. tween the characters of these two men! Neither Mr Aubrey nor Mr SomerAfter about half an hour's absence, ville—that was the name of his early Mr Runnington returned, much dis- acquaintance-quitted the sittingpirited. Mr Ridley was not to be room, during the whole of the night; found; and, consequently, Mr Aubrey but as their companion retired early must remain in his wretched quarters to the adjoining apartment, and imall night, and till probably an ad- mediately fell into heavy sleep, they vanced period of the ensuing day at length entered into conversation till, in short, Mr Runnington should of a melancholy, but deeply inhave obtained responsible sureties for teresting, and I may even add inhis putting in bail to the action.*structive character. Mr Aubrey's Having whispered a few words to Mr Aubrey in the adjoining room, and slipped a five-pound note into his hand, Mr Runnington took his leave, pledging himself to lose not a moment in procuring his release; and charged with innumerable fond expressions to Mrs Aubrey, to Kate, and his children -whom Mr Runnington promised to see that night. "This is almost the bitterest moment of my life," faltered

* See APPENDIX.

notes of it are by me; but I will not risk fatiguing the indulgent reader's attention. When the chill grey morning broke, it found the two prisoners still earnestly talking together; but, shortly afterwards, nature yielded, and they both fell asleep - Mr Aubrey, with an humble and fervent inward prayer, commending those dear beings who were absent to the protection of Heaven, and imploring it also for himself.

CHAPTER VI.

KATE'S DIAMOND NECKLACE; MR RUNNINGTON'S MUNIFICENCE; LADY STRATTON'S £15,000 POLICY, WHICH GAMMON ANGLES FOR.

IMMEDIATELY on quitting Mr Aubrey, Mr Runnington, according to his pro mise, went direct to Vivian Street, and the scene which he had endeavoured to prepare himself for encountering, on their finding him return unaccompanied by Mr Aubrey, was heart-rending. Alas! how confidently had they reckoned upon an issue similar to that which had so happily occurred in the morning!-'Twas the first time-the

very first time since their troubles, that Mr and Mrs Aubrey had been separated for one single night! And he was now the inmate of a prison, perhaps enduring indignity, and grievous discomfort, to aggravate his mental sufferings. Ah, how he would be thinking of those from whom he had been so cruelly separated! Mrs Aubrey and Kate sat up the livelong night-one memorable and miserable

to them-counting hour after hour, as its flight was announced by the neighbouring church-clock. Their eyes were swollen with weeping, and their throbbing temples ached, as at the first glimpse of dull daybreak, they drew aside the parlour curtain and threw open the window. They were, indeed, with some of old, weary of watching.

so great a distance, and not having seen their friends the Aubreys for several weeks. Poor souls! they also had their troubles! "Twas wonderful how they contrived to exist upon the paltry pittance obtained by his ministerial duties; but they came ever with cheerfulness-unaffected and refreshing cheerfulness; they never uttered a murmur at the thorny desert which life seemed destined to prove to them, but had always a comfortable word for their weary fellow-pilgrims. Griev

About mid-day, thanks to the energetic friendship of Mr Runnington, and the promptitude of those whose names had been given to him by Mrous as was the position of the Aubreys, Aubrey, he made his appearance in Vivian Street. He saw Mrs Aubrey and Kate as he passed, sitting at the window, anxiously on the look-out. They also saw him-sprang to the door-and opening it while he was in the act of knocking, were instantly locked in each other's embrace. He looked pale and harassed, certainly; but, 'twas he, the beloved husband and brother-Providence had permitted them once more to meet! All their recent pangs were for a moment forgotten, and drowned in the overflowing joy of such a reunion. He was already sufficiently subdued; but when he heard the footsteps of his children pattering rapidly down stairs, and heard their little voices continually, and in eager accents, exclaiming, Papa!—my papa! where is papa?"-and when they ran up to him, and he felt their little arms round his neck, then he was overpowered, his lip quivered convulsively, and he could not refrain from bursting into tears. Oh, 'twas HOME, poor oppressed soul!-after all-to which Providence had permitted him to return, and where he saw himself suddenly surrounded by those precious objects of his undivided and unutterable love! Indeed, he was thankful; his heart-all their hearts-overflowed with gratitude.

Towards the evening, they received a visit from Mr and Mrs Neville, who were infinitely shocked on hearing of the events of the last few days, and of which they had not had the slightest intimation, living, as they did, at

VOL. II.

and disheartening that of their visi tors, what a happy evening they passed together! Poor Neville was in high spirits; for an article of his, full of research, and delicate and just criticism, which had cost him a great deal of labour to prepare, had at length been accepted by the editor of a classical and ecclesiastical Review, who had forwarded to him a check for ten guineas. Mr Aubrey could scarce refrain from tears, when his simpleminded and generous friend pressed upon him the acceptance of, at least, the half of these unexpected proceeds of his severe and ill-requited toil. While thus sitting together, in eager and delightful conversation, there came a knock to the door, which, as may be easily believed, a little disturbed them all; but it proved to be a gentleman who asked for Miss Aubrey; and on her requesting him, with a trepidation which was contagious, to come forward, who should it be, but the " tleman" of my Lord De la Zouch; and while the colour mounted into her cheek, and her heart fluttered, he placed in her hands a packet, just arrived from the Continent, and which he said he had had strict orders to deliver, himself, into the hands of Miss Aubrey.

gen

They all insisted on having it opened then and there; and in a few minutes' time, behold! their eager admiring eyes were dazzled by the sight of a superb diamond necklace; and at the bottom of the case, snugly nestled in the snowy wool, was a small card— which Kate, blushing violently, thrust