of dissipation
and crime. And this was the result; his own death by the hangman's
hands, and his mother's shame, and incurable insanity.

For many years after this occurrence, and when profitable and arduous
avocations would have led many men to forget that such a miserable being
existed, the young surgeon was a daily visitor at the side of the
harmless mad woman; not only soothing her by his presence and kindness,
but alleviating the rigour of her condition by pecuniary donations for
her comfort and support, bestowed with no sparing hand. In the transient
gleam of recollection and consciousness which preceded her death, a
prayer for his welfare and protection, as fervent as mortal ever
breathed, rose from the lips of this poor friendless creature. That
prayer flew to Heaven, and was heard. The blessings he was instrumental
in conferring, have been repaid to him a thousand-fold; but, amid all the
honours of rank and station which have since been heaped upon him, and
which he has so well earned, he can have no reminiscence more gratifying
to his heart than that connected with The Black Veil.

CHAPTER VII--THE STEAM EXCURSION

Mr. Percy Noakes was a law student, inhabiting a set of chambers on the
fourth floor, in one of those houses in Gray's-inn-square which command
an extensive view of the gardens, and their usual adjuncts--flaunting
nursery-maids, and town-made children, with parenthetical legs. Mr.
Percy Noakes was what is generally termed--'a devilish good fellow.' He
had a large circle of acquaintance, and seldom dined at his own expense.
He used to talk politics to papas, flatter the vanity of mammas, do the
amiable to their daughters, make pleasure engagements with their sons,
and romp with the younger branches. Like those paragons of perfection,
advertising footmen out of place, he was always 'willing to make himself
generally useful.' If any old lady, whose son was in India, gave a ball,
Mr. Percy Noakes was master of the ceremonies; if any young lady made a
stolen match, Mr. Percy Noakes gave her away; if a juvenile wife
presented her husband with a blooming cherub, Mr. Percy Noakes was either
godfather, or deputy-godfather; and if any member of a friend's family
died, Mr. Percy Noakes was invariably to be seen in the second mourning
coach, with a white handkerchief to his eyes, sobbing--to use his own
appropriate and expressive description--'like winkin'!'

It may readily be imagined that the