the
kind soothing of a woman was peculiarly grateful, and after a sojourn of
three days, I took my leave, with my mind much less depressed than when
I arrived.

On my return, I called upon Mr Masterton, who stated to me that Lord
Windermear was anxious to serve me, and that he would exert his interest
in any way which might be most congenial to my feelings; that he would
procure me a commission in the army, or a writership to India; or, if I
preferred it, I might study the law under the auspices of Mr Masterton.
If none of these propositions suited me, I might state what would be
preferred, and that, as far as his interest and pecuniary assistance
could avail, I might depend upon it. "So now, Japhet, you may go home
and reflect seriously upon these offers; and when you have made up your
mind what course you will steer, you have only to let me know."

I returned my thanks to Mr Masterton, and begged that he would convey my
grateful acknowledgments to his lordship. As I walked home, I met a
Captain Atkinson, a man of very doubtful character, whom, by the advice
of Carbonnell, I had always kept at a distance. He had lost a large
fortune by gambling, and having been pigeoned, had, as is usual, ended
by becoming a _rook_. He was a fashionable, well-looking man, of good
family, suffered in society, for he had found out that it was necessary
to hold his position by main force. He was a noted duellist, had killed
his three or four men, and a cut direct from any person was, with him,
sufficient grounds for sending a friend. Everybody was civil to him,
because no one wished to quarrel with him.

"My dear Mr Newland," said he, offering his hand, "I am delighted to
see you; I have heard at the clubs of your misfortune, and there were
some free remarks made by some. I have great pleasure in saying that I
put an immediate stop to them, by telling them that, if they were
repeated in my presence, I should consider it as a personal quarrel."

Three months before, had I met Captain Atkinson, I should have returned
his bow with studied politeness, and have left him; but how changed were
my feelings! I took his hand, and shook it warmly.

"My dear sir," replied I, "I am very much obliged for your kind and
considerate conduct; there are more who are inclined to calumniate than
to defend."

"And always will be in this world, Mr Newland; but I have a fellow
feeling. I recollect how I was received and flattered when I was
introduced as