herefore watched the time when my father walked down to the
Museum, and, slipping my arm in his, I told him, briefly and rapidly, as
we went along, how I had formed this strange acquaintance, and how I was
now situated. The story did not interest my father quite so much as I
expected, and he did not understand all the complexities of Vivian's
character,--how could he?--for he answered briefly, "I should think
that, for a young man apparently without a sixpence, and whose education
seems so imperfect, any resource in Trevanion must be most temporary and
uncertain. Speak to your Uncle Jack: he can find him some place, I have
no doubt,--perhaps a readership in a printer's office, or a reporter's
place on some journal, if he is fit for it. But if you want to steady
him, let it be something regular."

Therewith my father dismissed the matter and vanished through the gates
of the Museum. Readership to a printer, reportership on a journal, for
a young gentleman with the high notions and arrogant vanity of Francis
Vivian,--his ambition already soaring far beyond kid gloves and a
cabriolet! The idea was hopeless; and, perplexed and doubtful, I took my
way to Vivian's lodgings. I found him at home and unemployed, standing
by his window with folded arms, and in a state of such revery that he
was not aware of my entrance till I had touched him on the shoulder.

"Ha!" said he then, with one of his short, quick, impatient sighs, "I
thought you had given me up and forgotten me; but you look pale and
harassed. I could almost think you had grown thinner within the last few
days."

"Oh! never mind me, Vivian; I have come to speak of yourself. I have
left Trevanion; it is settled that I should go to the University, and we
all quit town in a few days."

"In a few days!--all! Who are 'all'?"

"My family,--father, mother, uncle, cousin, and myself. But, my dear
fellow, now let us think seriously what is best to be done for you. I
can present you to Trevanion."

"Ha!"

"But Trevanion is a hard, though an excellent man, and, moreover, as he
is always changing the subjects that engross him, in a month or so he
may have nothing to give you. You said you would work,--will you consent
not to complain if the work cannot be done in kid gloves? Young men who
have--risen high in the world have begun, it is well known, as reporters
to the press. It is a situation of respectability, and in request, and
not easy to obtain, I fancy; but still--"