him looking better.
There was nothing like country air to paint the cheeks.

Pownal thought this a good opportunity to commend his friend to the
favorable consideration of the housekeeper, and said--

"That I am well, I probably owe to the kindness of this gentleman,
who will remain with us during my stay in town," at the same time,
introducing Holden to the lady.

"Your friends, Mr. Thomas," said Mrs. Corning, courtesying to Holden,
"will always be welcome in this house. But, tell me, have you been
sick?--I'm sure, you don't look so--or some accident, or"----

"I will tell you all about it, by-and-by. At present, a cup of
coffee."

"My! what a thoughtless creature I am!" exclaimed Mrs. Corning. "The
pleasure of seeing you again, put all idea of breakfast out of my
mind. I never thought of asking, if you had had any. But, it shan't be
long before that mistake shall be remedied."

So saying, good Mrs. Corning bustled out of the room, on hospitable
thoughts intent, and, in a short time, the substantial comforts of
an American breakfast were smoking on the board. Pownal partook of it
with the liberal appetite of high health and youth sharpened by his
little voyage, while Holden himself, though in far greater moderation,
was not unmindful of the viands before him. His achievements, however,
did not seem to satisfy the housekeeper, who vainly pressed her
delicacies upon him, and who, subsequently, after a more thorough
observation of his character at meals, expressed her wonder, to
Pownal, whether the effect of a long beard was not to diminish the
appetite!

CHAPTER XXX.

I met with scoffs, I met with scorns
From youth, and babe, and hoary hairs,
They called me in the public squares,
The fool that wears a crown of thorns.

TENNYSON'S "IN MEMORIAM."

It was without delay that Holden applied himself to the purpose of
his visit to New York, in which he was seconded, to the best of his
ability, by Pownal. All the time the young man could spare from his
own business he devoted to his friend, though fearful that there was
little probability of succeeding in the search. But who, however,
convinced of the futility of the inquiries, could refuse his
assistance to one engaged in an investigation of so deep and sacred an
interest, and who believed with an implicit faith in ultimate success?
And such is the nature of enthusiasm, or a high-wrought faith, that
Pownal himself could not refrain from ent