that was what made
me wish to know who it was goin' to, since the thruth must be tould."

Clinton in turn now felt his curiosity stimulated as to the contents
of this mysterious epistle, and he resolved to watch, if possible, what
effect the perusal of it might have on his uncle, otherwise he was never
likely to hear a syllable that was contained in it, that worthy relative
being, from official necessity, a most uncommunicative person in all his
proceedings.

"I wonder," observed Clinton, "that Mr. Hycy would send to any one a
letter so slurred and blotted with ink as that is."

"Ay, but he blotted it purposely himself," replied Nanny, "and that too
surprised me, and made me wish to know what he could mane by it."

"Perhaps it's a love-letter, Nanny," said Clinton, laughing.

"I would like to know who it is to, at any rate," said the girl; "but
since you won't, tell me, sir, I must try and not lose my rest about it.
Good-bye, Mr. Clinton."

"Good-bye, Nanny;" and so they started.

Young Clinton, who, though thoughtless and fond of pleasure, was not
without many excellent points of character, began now to perceive,
by every day's successive intimacy, the full extent of Hycy Burke's
profligacy of morals, and utter want of all honorable principle.
Notwithstanding this knowledge, however, he felt it extremely difficult,
nay, almost impossible, to separate himself from Hycy, who was an
extremely pleasant young fellow, and a very agreeable companion when
he pleased. He had in fact gained that personal ascendancy over him, or
that licentious influence which too many of his stamp are notorious for
exercising over better men than themselves; and he found that he could
not readily throw Hyoy off, without being considerably a loser by the
act.

"I shall have nothing to do with his profligacy," said he, "or his want
of principle, and I shall let him know, at all events, that I will not
abide by the agreement or compromise entered into between us some time
since at his father's. He shall not injure an honest man for me, nor
shall I promise him even neutrality with respect to his proposal for my
sister, whom I would rather see dead a hundred times than the wife of
such a fellow."

The next morning, about half an hour before breakfast, he told his uncle
that he was stepping into town and would bring him any letters that
might be for him in the post-office. He accordingly did so, and received
two letters, one Hycy's and the